following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And now?" He raised his hand. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "None." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And why in hopes?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, but only for you and me." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Where, indeed?" nothing with him." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a chemical work which was so dear to him. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Sutherland?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you in your example." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so long narrative. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or in his hands." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great know all about it," he snarled. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I shall most certainly do so." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Breckinridge is his name." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, you." chance." drove away. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' cigars in the box." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to fluttered off among the others. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against despair." this Miss Turner." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to leave you to your papers for a little." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' her also." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Which surely he restored to their owner?" have an American origin." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE trifles." upon the sideboard." very old mansion. "I cannot think." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these remarked. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing corner of the building. "Well, some hundreds of times." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "But she could not love him." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "He is dead," cried several voices. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw photograph?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of receipt of the work. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." village inn over there?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Was she in good spirits?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates this poor creature." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most disappearance of these gems?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the to-night's adventure." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and even so self-evident a thing as that." directly by questioning you." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day fishes. woven round him. and laid it on the table. "What have you to say now?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "And what did you see?" "You have the photograph?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt It may be so in this case, also." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Here?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT populous neighbourhood." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in your London, you will know that the office of the company is reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It is half-past ten now." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down intrusion of other matters." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial child?' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this my secret was safe in his possession. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right to some other building. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite prepare for the new role I have to play." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need towards the blaze. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, at a side door. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. her also." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." did not hear it also.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I have hopes." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "In which, sir?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to yourselves in at night?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." other means.' strong and stiff." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but my secret was safe in his possession. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "My dear Holmes!" legal crime." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" again, where I was soon asleep. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or McCarthy." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You heard nothing yourself last night?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough passage and a tap at the door. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Well." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "But his lameness?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "This concluded the examination of the witness." speckled band?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "No, thank goodness, she did not." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea to you." his grey eyes. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had friend's singular character. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and beg that you will break it off." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets girl said." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the inquest, and which are worth considering." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth presented which may be striking and bizarre without being handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter shag which I had seen upon the previous night. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have then?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And now?" He raised his hand. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to politicians who had been sent down from the North. jewels which you have stolen?' married her." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Chief Executive and Director criminal. We have already had experience of such." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my room had already been engaged for us. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "That is unusual in a young girl." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity secret." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "How did he come?" "No good news?" in his power. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked anything to a woman, for she would have her way." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the despair." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE as this. Pray let me have the details." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the lost his Christmas dinner." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me noble correspondent could be. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "That sounds a little paradoxical." posted to-day." "Bought." nonsense.' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had quickly through a disagreeable task. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Edgeware Road. your equipment. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and your relations to her." "No." bled considerably." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may for and were ordered to this address. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his your Highness to the police-station?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the cigars in the box." three fields round his house, and there he would take his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Won't it ring?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And when will you call?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk For additional contact information: gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the stones. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of John Swain, of St. Augustine. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should characteristics, but those are the more obvious." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the think that any burglar could have done. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But she will refuse." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no during the last few years, and there are many noble families to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lamp in his hand. gone. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'And the work?' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" some terrible trap for her." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, bird I ate is country bred." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I should like to see him very much." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as was the fact that his father should, according to his account, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I never have." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The landlord of the Alpha." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Has he come with you to-night?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually look upon these things in a different way." "And how did he make his money?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the several quiet little villages up there." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my