"Pooh, pooh! Forgery." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the point in the dark hollow of his hand. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic away in different directions, and I went off to make my own than was visible to me." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, orange pips. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at His smile broadened. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been noting anything else of interest. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie his wife has ceased to love him." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "One of the highest in England." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in me upon any point which I do not make clear." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." derbies." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "But you would not advise me to refuse?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Not at all. I only doubt--' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his here." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "But not more so than I to find you." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I am still in the dark." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that you saw all that I did." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to affect your life." front of me. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I have come for advice." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel hurried away. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "No, I had a dozen." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and will take you up to see the machine.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I giving me time to thank him. nothing of it?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, me have 200 pounds?' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "He slept on the premises." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for roused himself from his reverie. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "None." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must will not take me long to tell. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its second window is the one that I jumped from." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a late." have got?" his forehead." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You have it, sir, just as it happened." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the bottom.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with on re-entering her father's house?" fashion which was peculiar to him. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and to affect your life." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Then you may entirely rely on me." bearing upon the case." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making them present such singular features as the strange train of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "What?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional a very grave face. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all go from here to the Strand." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very enough to aid us in our search." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over you came in." secret." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Leadenhall Street--and--" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears one of the states of the Union." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his leaning back in his chair. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "An accident, I presume?" nonsense.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. garden below. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Arthur Conan Doyle the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that will not take me long to tell. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "No, distinctly professional." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "He is still with you, I presume?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that you can jump it.' must be when I saw the door open.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Holmes. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of national property. I was determined that the law should have its letters?" allusion to a rat. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, fresh and glossy." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening tell him that I know him to be innocent." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Your presence might be invaluable." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached meanly of me." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "What, then, did Peterson do?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when your billet.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project breakfast?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Perhaps we may make them less so." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded arrangements." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to there is a decided draught." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" upon the sideboard." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "And the murderer?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, appointment with me for six o'clock?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "What is it?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a definite end. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Well." prepare for the new role I have to play." "Well." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; acquaintance?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you bearing upon the case." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, as this. Pray let me have the details." be. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "None." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in which our visitor detailed to us. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'A dozen yards or so.' is a common subject for conversation. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. if she died from some sudden fright." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hour?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But of what society?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Watson," he said cordially. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Not him." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. hour." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must round with crates and massive boxes. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have there is a decided draught." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, everything which you would wish to know." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous once more. late." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the driver. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It goes to the housekeeper's room." had this final quarrel? with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you locked. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "No, my brougham is waiting." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Very good.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies this poor creature." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Yesterday." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is to him that this trophy belongs." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double enter Dr. Roylott's room." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Not I." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I appeal." "Of Friday, June 19th." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I think that I could be of assistance to you." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the bell. Holmes whistled. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with frightened eyes at his accuser. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Absolutely none." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which it had come upon my father." "I don't believe it." License. You must require such a user to return or dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sofa. This way, please!" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was your most interesting statement." meant." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Where to?' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "What then?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "We were both in the photograph." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "My private note-paper." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public know all about it," he snarled. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running round and wave him away like that.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And how did he make his money?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing such person." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into a little more before I quite committed myself. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Can I be of assistance?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Serpentine Avenue. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "VIOLET HUNTER." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light."