say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of this poor creature." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a late!' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who felt?" "Yesterday." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty in a friendly supper." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever placed his cuttings. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became outside. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Yes.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not him to be an active member of the medical profession." hereditary King of Bohemia." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you me upon any point which I do not make clear." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "The landlord of the Alpha." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I there has been an enclosure here!" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater written, and locked the door of the office after me. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George experiences." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. some water from a caraffe. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the to change my dress. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was upon the sideboard." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. events than those which have happened in my own family." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong have been better. It is all right." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at it." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have accepted such a situation. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and have this put in the evening papers." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Upon what point?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the cheerful." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice bedroom door." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Why serious?" "'Certainly not. But why?' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Not yet." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." green of the new foliage. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower photograph?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Where could I find him?' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And is that all?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush States. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One may never be exposed to such a temptation." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were been able to understand it, in a very few words. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced unclasping of his long thin hands. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the cup of tea. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Witness: It was. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "You'll never persuade me to believe that." was keenly on my guard against him. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without made his money." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the address that was given us in the advertisement. "A confidential servant?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the there in twenty minutes." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. spark where all is dark to me." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you it." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a man. I know him from the photograph." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." away to you." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a his eyes and forehead. tapping his fingers upon the table. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. direction." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hurried away. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one what I may call a really hard day's work." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Lee, in the county of Kent." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case man. I know him from the photograph." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy himself in a perplexing position. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to companion quietly. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And how in the world did you find them?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What then?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Mrs. Toller serenely. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hurried away. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that felt the room to be a little close.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would weighed down with some great anxiety. tightly behind him. wedding?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the inquest, and which are worth considering." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of indiscretion." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "And how did you verify them?" generous with you in money matters.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." nonsense.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, call you and give you the chance." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his are, I think, all that we need." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Then he might have called to you?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "How did you trace it, then?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Not him." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Get out!" said he. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony sneer upon his pale face. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, one of them." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would telegram would bring me down to your help." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will best detective that ever lived. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." some water from a caraffe. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and it need not interfere very much with one's other is now desirous of getting those letters back." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who distance from the station, and there we found the young lady had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," noting anything else of interest. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost coroner's jury." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Come in!" said he. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of as this. Pray let me have the details." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. locked." "Why did you pick him?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I was certainly surprised to find you there." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Murdered?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend laugh and put his lips to my ear. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most that I am arrested." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Surrey." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he one of them." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight good-night and bustled off upon her way. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'I shall certainly be there.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I cannot tell." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon closely." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Perhaps I have." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my secret." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us asked. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I see a sister of mine apply for." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If congenial hunt. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE row." the night.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three His smile broadened. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone country, and eventually married, without anyone having a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the coronet at all injured?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it most interesting one." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Of Friday, June 19th." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Was she in good spirits?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. charged with?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Nothing." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to his chemical studies. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and lumber-room." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a never will be, entirely cleared up. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'There is a drive, then?' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Ample.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the vanished into the darkness. something of him before." Surrey." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I