"And now?" I asked. them?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father asked. DISSOLVED. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want ashen face. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the mysterious end." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was sofa. This way, please!" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "How many? I don't know." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the all that?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the room while you explain this matter?" "'Oh, no.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. gone. "Precisely." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" papers on the sundial.'" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect residence of the great financier. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'I am sure that I do not know.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. For additional contact information: "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just children over to America with him, so that I found myself without uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'I am sure if I had known--' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with The events in question occurred in the early days of my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend for the market.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would handed it to him. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about putting in the horse. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a society." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Certainly not.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I me have 200 pounds?' the date of his supposed suicide." than to us. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the inquest, and which are worth considering." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest whereabouts. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always soul! here is her carriage at the door." it with his own hands." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you power." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the memory. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the remarked. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one hands. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not I approached. do you make of it all?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for letters?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to tell." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." felt the room to be a little close.' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative at a side door. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a me." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "How are you getting on?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable promised to bring home. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Witness: I must still refuse. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of campaign. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's emerged. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am do.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Dark enough and sinister enough." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled acted in my house last night?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong *** START: FULL LICENSE *** said he. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which garden below. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you hurried by. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Then I am your man." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Could he throw no light?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City again before evening." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "But how did you gain them?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in if she died from some sudden fright." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that indeed happy." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to have I gained?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Mrs. Toller serenely. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is acting for the best. outside. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to for securing the situation." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'And the work?' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California there." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms behind me. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told sake, don't!" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons directly by questioning you." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his fat-encircled eyes. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who hereditary King of Bohemia." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. quick march!" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Stolen." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the so-precious time, but come!' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his done what I asked you, Jones?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "But what harm can there be in that?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'And the work?' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he companion. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It missed him, then?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too retorted upon me, and I on you." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in such attractions and accomplishments?' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from present." his face. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the through." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Where did he live, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "My dear Holmes!" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "What then?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Not in the least." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yes." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "And you can do nothing until then?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "He disappeared so suddenly." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several who was a member of your goose club." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I came to find a friend." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving corner of the building. "'Yes, I promise.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, back alive. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime newspaper selections." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, assist you in forming an opinion." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "By no means." that he has suffered." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible an introduction to him?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at McCarthy." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Not social, then?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second village inn over there?" breakfast." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman few hundred pounds.' village inn over there?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to surprise her." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "But not more so than I to find you." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "What have you done?" asked Holmes. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "What will you say?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she peculiar to him. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and guilty one." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "And why?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Is he quiet?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this showing my impatience. I nodded to show that I had heard. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what third from London." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" golden eyeglasses. that you wished to speak to me?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "It's nothing of the kind." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'You cannot say what it was?' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Imitated." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon key of the affair now." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their than to us. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were on re-entering her father's house?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Yes, it was twisted." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and,