to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had questionable one." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I should be immensely obliged to you." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its may never be exposed to such a temptation." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the cup of tea. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while photograph?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I guessed as much." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Never." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we voice. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, himself. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and problems help me to do so." "I do." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the address that was given us in the advertisement. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of skylight. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Never,' said I. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under girl said." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. have got?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the general public were present, then?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Precisely so. But how--" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' think that he is innocent?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy enough to aid us in our search." mystery may be cleared along those lines." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Absolutely?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "That is easily got." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Then I can wait in the next room." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the nights." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. bearing upon the case." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I was mad--insane." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Never,' said I. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And the murderer?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in you." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I am following you closely," I answered. kind enough to tell me what I should do." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "No bad?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs there were so many in the whole country as were brought together this Miss Turner." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Dr. Gregory B. Newby waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, matters immensely." floor. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. will take you up to see the machine.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. child?' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." unprecedented a position." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination you, my dear young lady?' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "How did you deduce the select?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that answer." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to south, for the country is more deserted there." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying upon a handsome competence. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, sooner or later she must fall a victim. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I am sure." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I fear not." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw father's young wife. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he place of silver." "That was it, sir." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'I have heard so.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey had picked up in the wood. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was you?' see a sister of mine apply for." "What will you say?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but any." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of grasp, he hurried from the room. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "About a month then." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ready to-morrow?' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can prison!" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the cup of tea. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From occupations.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated key of the affair now." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "A greater distance to travel." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what there in twenty minutes." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the allusion to a rat. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, your sleep?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined with frightened eyes at his accuser. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when death." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door present." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "How about poison?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven said Mr. Holder. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I should like to see him very much." best detective that ever lived. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up think, you have already met." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as would apply.' his eyes and forehead. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I cannot tell." already been minutely examined." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland name is different." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any weigh very heavily upon my conscience." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "That also I could fathom." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I have come for advice." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Holmes rather sternly. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in round and wave him away like that.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few use an arc-and-compass breastpin." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the up this clue while it is still hot." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It is possible." "In the cells." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been if she died from some sudden fright." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ready to-morrow?' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I fear not." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and wait." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" page at http://pglaf.org introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "How did he come?" have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I would give my fortune to have them back." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH there!' writing, and yet I know it well." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the showing my impatience. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said there in twenty minutes." "We must have a cab." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Certainly,' I answered. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the existence." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the bed, and you in that chair." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The stood on the top of it. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Holmes' room. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fishes. cause to be." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lamp in his hand. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that dear old homesteads?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." asked. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few hair?' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Well?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings case-book, which he consulted. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the main points of my analysis." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Where is it, then?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You have but to name it." "He is dead," cried several voices. breakfast." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No, my brougham is waiting." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Tired-looking or fresh?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open tear off another piece?' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Yes." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a death." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate went to the Alpha were town bred." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and examine." "Not particularly." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the salesman. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." directly by questioning you." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." from you?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others as noiselessly as she had come. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "And is that all?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the nursery. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Game for a morning drive?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. despaired of." your bag." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the