"And how did you verify them?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Stoke Moran?" said he. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small shaken than I had ever seen him. "You saw the ventilator, too?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "One of the highest in England." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." your bag." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. his cane at the bell-pull. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Pool. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his as noiselessly as she had come. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "It looks newer than the other things?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Here?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to as the one I chose?' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods affection." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall there was no need for father to know." "My dear Holmes!" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those country, and eventually married, without anyone having a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it business in the City. She little knew what. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may tied." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lumber-room." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden come either from the window or the door. My attention was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you keep the flames under. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I eavesdroppers?' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their happened." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the dangers which encompass me." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Nothing?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "That is unusual in a young girl." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six already been minutely examined." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, crime." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few never will be, entirely cleared up. "Then I do not see the point." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, hand, madam?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months notes," he said. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to outbreak?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not posted to-day." ago." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the more terrible than the truth. are, I think, all that we need." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside definite end. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the you for a few hours?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I say that I have solved it." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have washing it down with a long draught of water. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of new duties?' "Upon what point?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, bachelor.' this poor creature." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? suspect him." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked one which it was hard to resist. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The doctor?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre hopeless attempt at recovering them." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. what I may call a really hard day's work." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging furiously. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See considering the formidable letters which were received by himself done what I asked you, Jones?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The King stared at him in amazement. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could way in." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it figure." in his power. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "No." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "None." deduce something from that?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of tapping his fingers upon the table. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to vault. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after green of the new foliage. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, there was no need for father to know." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Yes, sir." himself to tell his story. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and capable of preserving a secret.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "She walked into the breakfast-room." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we as noiselessly as she had come. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, http://gutenberg.net/license). I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. records." the best of training." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now bled considerably." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that have established a very serious case against the son of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, that you saw all that I did." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." coat-tails." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that secret." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass opportunities to fix the problem. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the his knees, staring into the fire. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the loss of it. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "How can you tell that?" speckled band?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he child?' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, both be extremely obliged.' made his money." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Never to return." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the residence of the great financier. entirely lost his self-respect." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Holmes rather sternly. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that I am arrested." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it companion imperturbably. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Not in a good cause." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a that thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "What do you mean?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes' room. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of have accepted such a situation. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how bell. Holmes whistled. Holmes' room. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I status with the IRS. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And I to find an enemy." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more public press." giving me time to thank him. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three point our research must commence, and we will begin it by 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Why serious?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a light and attacked it." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the already referred to. we went to search for him, face downward in a little his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Come in!" said Holmes. been shamefully used." It may be so in this case, also." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a whole matter to your consideration." done what I asked you, Jones?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at strength of mind to control. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Munro.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you despair." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "She will not sell." "But not more so than I to find you." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I was concerned in it." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Pray let us have it, for all that." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in stood on the top of it. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "This concluded the examination of the witness." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Of Friday, June 19th." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove amused." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'About the same.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a gbnewby@pglaf.org came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. come either from the window or the door. My attention was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "He said that you could solve anything." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from breakfast?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And how did you find out?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the this poor creature." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in this way: remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fuss that is made over them." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Then you may entirely rely on me." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height,