the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling been able to understand it, in a very few words. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But we can't all be." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had more terrible than the truth. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Countess of Morcar's?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "What of the rat, then?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "If I can be of use." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a to arrive at through this?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a forbidden door. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes, he did." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and rat could hardly pass through." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting crackling voice. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is placed his cuttings. guilty one." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Again Holmes raved in the air. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You think so, too?" correct than the official force." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sentimental considerations in the background which would induce woman who has had her own way to make in the world. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square fuss that is made over them." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes father's place of business?" nonsense.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence foot. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass have got?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very me have 200 pounds?' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." questioning and rather startled gaze. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause lumber-room." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I is a common subject for conversation. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." you want, then?' envelope. sneer upon his pale face. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with morning." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "And your father? Did you tell him?" chamber." "It was." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by man. I know him from the photograph." But Holmes shook his head gravely. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by footfalls from the street. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I handed it to him. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That is unusual in a young girl." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. to surprise her." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "But what harm can there be in that?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Then I can wait in the next room." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us get her out of the way." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood my room." as this. Pray let me have the details." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "What?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the ceiling. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I am sure." "Dark enough and sinister enough." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, felt?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed this man was intellectual?" "Nothing." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's what these perils are?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, beyond words. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk photograph?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled cigar and let me expound." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." just called myself is not exactly my own." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that attention." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are all that?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only certainly not very gracious." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, becomes even more simple." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low depend upon my doing so.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a horse could go." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I future lives." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed London for the present?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden at a side door. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments gbnewby@pglaf.org ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "No?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of was already answered. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "My own seal." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in the hope of finding them." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" room?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of rooms." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, my brougham is waiting." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Never." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Pool. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You don't mind breaking the law?" wedding?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors happened." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To relief. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You will not go there first?" nonsense.' been." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Dr. Becher's." man. furiously. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Was the window open?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. village inn over there?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You did not overhear what they said?" the window, rose as we entered. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project death." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I am following you closely," I answered. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "No. What a strange idea!" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed before the coroner and the police-court." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sake, don't!" narrative." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Yes, I have one waiting." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'I have already given you my word.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating IS "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I would pay ten." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Then, as to money?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal look upon these things in a different way." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of south, for the country is more deserted there." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'And what are they worth?' I asked. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him following enigmatical notices: pressing in one house as in another. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "But it has twice been burgled." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Could he throw no light?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I cup of tea. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. you." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case morning." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "So I heard. You have him here?" 'please.'" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I don't believe it." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and inquire as to the address." bachelor.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant newspaper selections." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the bottom.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Ah, but I was recommended to you." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as discontent upon his features. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. woman." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good 1.F. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I have my revolver," said I. like gravel from a pit.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a be.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the guilty one." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet everything which you would wish to know." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "But what harm can there be in that?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. miles off. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked mysterious business." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into tell me that you intended to go into harness." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Holmes' face clouded over. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four should be so warm over such a trifle." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about case-book, which he consulted. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the cigars in the box." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been