a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Upon what point?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, man. I know him from the photograph." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of thin legs towards the fire. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in row." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You are certainly joking, Holmes." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, indeed happy." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the or in danger--" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall depend upon my doing so.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire front of me. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "How are you getting on?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Certainly." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so his fortune, and I went back to pa. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is unkempt, staring out at me. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Breckinridge is his name." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Entirely." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen he bowed and left the room without another word. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Have you her photograph?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I is worth.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I say it is." "Pray do so." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Your sister is dead, then?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be joking. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'Where could I find him?' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much away to you." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an obstinate." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Oh, fresh and glossy." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several row." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but her also." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to detective. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. breakfast." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang III. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come it." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future night.' said he. "Who by?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had second." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be very peculiar words of the dying woman?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face indeed which he could not unravel. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I held the little printed slip to the light. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and see me here to avoid scandal." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I fact, we may call it conclusive." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it enough to aid us in our search." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the your billet.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "It is solved." with her." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I shall most certainly do so." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Always." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was him to go away.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. man. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "My last client of the sort was a king." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "None." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "You have the photograph?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was felt the room to be a little close.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Munro.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And from a noble client?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' opened the door, and slipped through. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "If so, much may have happened between." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to have I gained?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side could not have written that. It is the German who is so if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of some city in a dream. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does do." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes, all." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on congratulate you again." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If you understand?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Yes." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" forecastle of an emigrant ship. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hour?' weighed down with some great anxiety. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "But she will refuse." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, again." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Countess of Morcar's?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to plantation.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to imbecility!" he cried. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you yet." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having in his power. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Surrey." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Get out!" said he. you?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot question," said Holmes, smiling. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Here?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than on in his house." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of least a most suspicious remark." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "From his hat?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a do.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. miles off. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction man. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to lips." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, some city in a dream. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few front of the hall door has given its name to the place. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you for a few hours?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "But you have hopes?" fat-encircled eyes. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sentimental considerations in the background which would induce located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the suspect him." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you there." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Then, how do you know?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my will be renamed. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Yes, it was twisted." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But you would not advise me to refuse?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, to-night?" I asked. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun good-night and bustled off upon her way. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he my room." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little been with you?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "What are they?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New outside." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase,"