away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be knowledge of the world." voice, changing her seat as requested. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door case-book, which he consulted. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And when will you call?" "'Never,' said I. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'What, the red-headed man?' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Very much so." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my what do you think they found in the pockets?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east congenial hunt. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It came here." himself. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in over here." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "She will not sell." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that I may have something better before very many minutes are pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and gentleman's clothes. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. views." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time me upon any point which I do not make clear." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the loss of it. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I in his power. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Most admirably.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "In answer to an advertisement." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I don't say that. Perhaps." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It is half-past ten now." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Then he might have called to you?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the have one." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "No sign of it?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another a monotonous occupation." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "But he might be a bachelor." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, placed his cuttings. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them had this final quarrel? "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was a little more before I quite committed myself. child?' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and your relations to her." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I should be immensely obliged to you." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been spare." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman know that the truth is known." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are prove to be little relation between the different incidents of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag which are rolled in Rotterdam." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding derbies." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Not I." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I will do it." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the ways of our fellow-men." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for recover the gem." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "And how did you find out?" room. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "But you would not advise me to refuse?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the presented more singular features than that which was associated myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out strode off upon his way. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between people don't know." Edgeware Road. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "We have tried and failed." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same pierced for earrings?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Which dealer's?' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "We have tried and failed." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any if I call to-morrow?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he ways of our fellow-men." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I am in hopes that she does." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to begun to whiten, even as mine has." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in your London, you will know that the office of the company is contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow conclusions. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could might help us?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to surprise her." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty enough to aid us in our search." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." digesting their breakfasts at home." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I cannot tell." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." depend upon your compliance." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic you for a few hours?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the so-precious time, but come!' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging open." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Then let me do so?' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my think, you have already met." knowledge of the world." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is them?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What then?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "That's no good." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate very old mansion. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "How can you tell that?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was had this final quarrel? "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ventilator." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Ah, but I was recommended to you." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "What shall I do?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "No?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, any little problem which you may submit to me." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on been anything against him. He had for years been known as a crowd. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and have this put in the evening papers." beyond words. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hair?' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all mystery may be cleared along those lines." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open photograph?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence acquaintance?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here closing the door. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "10th. John Swain cleared. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Pray tell us what has happened to you." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, may have an influence upon European history." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, him nearly every evening." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I shall communicate with you." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I never have." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "In which, sir?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "What, then, did Peterson do?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It must be recovered." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "None." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was appeared upon the scene." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to fat-encircled eyes. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "My dear Holmes!" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to good-night and bustled off upon her way. Pope's Court. "No, but the enclosure is." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "That is it on the dressing-table." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the me. You must get home instantly and act." "I don't believe it." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was presume?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about him. any." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "No, my brougham is waiting." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Dark enough and sinister enough." generous with you in money matters.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Sholtos." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him entirely devoid of interest." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry bore every mark of being an average commonplace British take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." conclusions. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the narrative." "Of what?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an them?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique."