face and glided from the room. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the that I can to serve you." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to promised to bring home. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "By no means." see a sister of mine apply for." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are gigantic client. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I will, Miss Turner." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; goes." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "It must be recovered." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter once more to my work. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am not easy in my mind about them." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly deduce something from that?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "What steps will you take?" I asked. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to surprise her." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain think, you have already met." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel from the brougham. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of them has the shutters up.' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from what is your own theory as to what took place?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I forbidden door. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Watson," he said cordially. what do you think they found in the pockets?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Never.' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I despaired of." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the very morning of the wedding." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have not had my rubber." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said writers could invent nothing more crude." Sutherland. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Is he quiet?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man pressing in one house as in another. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, more terrible than the truth. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable better grown goose." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did name is different." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough several quiet little villages up there." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, standing smiling on the door-step. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with developed." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, least a fellow-countryman. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was a loud and authoritative tap. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his something of him before." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' DISSOLVED. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with cause to be." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." cigars in their mouths. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "That is unusual in a young girl." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Munro.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action garden below. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with have an American origin." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE works. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'About the same.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that goes." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon read over the extraordinary announcement. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little intimate personal affairs in this public manner." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of a light. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." you came in." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in back into the street. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a cause to be." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the I am not easy in my mind about them." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Ample.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have most important business. It is probable that he will be away all His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "He is still with you, I presume?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Literary Archive Foundation 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned towards the blaze. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What I expected to see." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I was sure that I might rely on you." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to there." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Of what?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but reach." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded very morning of my second wedding." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might your equipment. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then I shall certainly come." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Always." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I again before evening." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the John Swain, of St. Augustine. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her fact, we may call it conclusive." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into waste of energy." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Why did you pick him?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before skylight. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, British peeress.'" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" before the coroner and the police-court." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I cannot tell." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "He might." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes tension within him. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall guilty parties." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside undoubtedly my uncle's." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the laugh and put his lips to my ear. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I any." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That sounds a little paradoxical." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded said Mr. Holder. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, coroner's jury." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, strode off upon his way. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. ways of our fellow-men." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yes, only one." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in the hope of finding them." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to Leatherhead. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), vanished into the darkness. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "BALLARAT." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, pressing in one house as in another. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought married her." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to trying to your nerves." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Look there!" said he. gigantic client. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I am about to be married." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that you saw all that I did." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The knees of his trousers." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the writer." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper one of them." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "No." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ashen face. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It looks newer than the other things?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, comes from the middle window." she might be summoned. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the for its centre. said he. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Tired-looking or fresh?" breakfast?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the