believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite was it brought him the coronet? article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need careless servant girl?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Very murderous indeed." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "You have compromised yourself seriously." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." papers on the sundial.'" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has be.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, instincts rose up against that laugh. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet might have a private word with us. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Where to?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the this as likely?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you in your example." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Of what day?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in the port of London." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Yes, I promise.' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that bell. Holmes whistled. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." his grey eyes. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back placed his cuttings. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating had this final quarrel? caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Certainly." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to a more successful conclusion." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord 1.F. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention affection." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you gone. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded have an American origin." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton McCarthy." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with October 9, 1890. writer." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." furiously. young Openshaw's." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great maid will bring up your coffee." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him with some details as to your case." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one hopeless attempt at recovering them." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Do you go out much in society?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, behind me. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Were they all fastened this morning?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a where she found matters as described by the last witness. I nodded again. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards fluttered off among the others. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, then?" had formerly been in part my own. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been careless servant girl?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Never to return." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the it. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our coroner's jury." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had as this. Pray let me have the details." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which in a friendly supper." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the carpenter." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." experiences." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." are, I think, all that we need." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Then, as to money?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which should have the effect of calling the attention of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Absolutely?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" bird of prey. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "May I see it?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to gone before you can get him to hospital." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs McCarthy's innocence. the stable lane now." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I shall most certainly do so." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now both be extremely obliged.' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the best of training." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It came here." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for friend's singular character. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Then you may be so with me." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and effective." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of tell them apart.' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Of what?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I held the little printed slip to the light. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be in the port of London." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you criminal. We have already had experience of such." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from simple cases which are so extremely difficult." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up fluttered off among the others. "In what way?" asked Holmes. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "What steps will you take?" I asked. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off tension within him. "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, the wine-cellar." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "How did you trace it, then?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his know that the truth is known." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This what I may call a really hard day's work." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Never,' said I. direction." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his read it out to me." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we works. See paragraph 1.E below. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets photograph a cabinet?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the appeal." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the go--none." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the crowd. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we strong reason behind." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ways of our fellow-men." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is even of instruction." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than very peculiar words of the dying woman?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which address. License. You must require such a user to return or society." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since had formerly been in part my own. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this unprecedented a position." way in." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. skylight. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I closely." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Then, how do you know?" peculiar to him. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the date of his supposed suicide." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is evidence," I remarked. "Then I shall certainly come." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the salesman. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, me what he had done with the three missing stones. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "But we can't all be." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord it." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, is a common subject for conversation. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. hour." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his his huge brown hands. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again present." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I am all attention, madam." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Countess of Morcar's?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. gentleman's clothes. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Not him." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed once more to my work. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring enter Dr. Roylott's room." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You think so, too?" Countess of Morcar's?" companion imperturbably. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Oh, no.' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Count Von Kramm." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very at my remark. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." depend upon your compliance." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that you wished to speak to me?' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time see a sister of mine apply for." "That is unusual in a young girl." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close gigantic client. shall use the carriage to-night." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the it were putty." do.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "What can you not understand?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm there were one or two details which were new to me. But the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes. He waved his hands." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I see many objections to any such theory." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that dear old homesteads?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the