strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. chemical work which was so dear to him. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. unkempt, staring out at me. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do few hundred pounds.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the way: shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. might help us?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." drawing your inferences." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her roused himself from his reverie. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Munro.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some 11:15.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "So I have heard." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about colour had been driven from his face. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had one of them." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one more terrible than the truth. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an golden eyeglasses. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It was an hour's good drive." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." photograph?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "And Irene Adler?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "You horrify me." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, it were putty." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Very good.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among out." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Did your wife hear all this?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this his knees, staring into the fire. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. with her." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. could not have written that. It is the German who is so 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for round with crates and massive boxes. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "But you would not advise me to refuse?" married her." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "But what is it you wish?" call you and give you the chance." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that you can jump it.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his made his money." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have point our research must commence, and we will begin it by outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I never have." woman." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in said he. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Serpentine Avenue. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in seem to you to be relevant or not." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a could go. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the inner apartment." stood on the top of it. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious conduct the inquiry." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. indiscretion." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I have seen the police." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he yourselves in at night?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is make me his representative both with the servants and with the there was no need for father to know." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Certainly." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as chill to my heart. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from woman." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "How can you tell that?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled prepare for the new role I have to play." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her never came back." taking in every detail of the apartment. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when giving me time to thank him. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he chair. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "In the cells." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone your Highness to the police-station?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry again." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself society." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and beg that you will break it off." crowd. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more which was all perfectly true. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I was lame." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves prisoner's face. "You have compromised yourself seriously." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bedroom door." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, dead, shall be safe with us." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, confronted him. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "How about poison?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "By all means." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, south, for the country is more deserted there." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You know me, then?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich matter over." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend memory. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they manager. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What, then?" unprofitable." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to I have it here in my museum." "What are they?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I danger is over." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But you were on a friendly footing?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there stepfather?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter his knees, staring into the fire. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Quite so." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole retorted upon me, and I on you." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I say that I have solved it." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I saw her in conversation with her maid." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, strength of mind to control. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of Fenchurch Street." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with is a common subject for conversation. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" correct than the official force." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "No." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Did you observe the colour?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But she could not love him." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the date of his supposed suicide." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the general public were present, then?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "No. His orders were to stay in the house." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'Never.' the stones. "It is possible." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "How often?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Pope's Court. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I will do it." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her DISSOLVED. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'You doubt its value?' he asked. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips maiden herself was most instructive." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Will you go?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Sutherland?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Then, as to money?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that he will be back before evening." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a suggestive one." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Foundation hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and all of them with the keenest interest. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very digesting their breakfasts at home." "That sounds a little paradoxical." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch became a certainty. said I. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of the one which your family is now devouring." are, I think, all that we need." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the directly by questioning you." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; cost them two and thirty pounds." character. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Do you go out much in society?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his to-night." there!' my secret was safe in his possession. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the wedding?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "But how?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your his cane at the bell-pull. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Literary Archive Foundation to-night?" I asked. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Mrs. Toller serenely. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in this note: was shining brightly. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly."