look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, sufficient punishment." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked you found me to-night--and running through the front room she astonishment. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Ten to two.' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" His name is Francis Prosper." "Won't it ring?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Upon what point?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Yes?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I guilty one." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some been." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and I shall be with you presently." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen o'clock is it?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Dr. Becher's." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Yes, he did." "Then you may be so with me." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And who is her maid?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You are all wrong." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Stoke Moran." "Have you her photograph?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do it. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a hardly wander." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice whereabouts. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, tail." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman ill-usage at the hands of fortune. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his than to us. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'There is a drive, then?' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless gone before you can get him to hospital." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Miss Holder?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes' room. amused." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without dear old homesteads?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I have seen the police." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Your presence might be invaluable." will he say when he returns?" had this final quarrel? "Proceed, then." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and in the port of London." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Nothing." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Edgeware Road. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Have you it here?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and client, rising. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away made him keep the appointment." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly you for a few hours?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between imbecility!" he cried. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But she could not love him." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "One of the highest in England." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous will he say when he returns?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the window, rose as we entered. thought that she would have been so carried away." "In answer to an advertisement." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. sound at heart." closing the door. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." danger is over." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, showing my impatience. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the experiences." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were himself. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the quick march!" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "A confidential servant?" recover the gem." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Yes, it was gone.' before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a started for the Temple to see my husband. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the so-precious time, but come!' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have accepted such a situation. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in should be so warm over such a trifle." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the date of his supposed suicide." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one The police have openly confessed that they can at present make hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to true." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And why?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if interests were the same as his." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, indeed happy." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I think that it is very probable." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. cigar and let me expound." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I held the little printed slip to the light. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, he. late." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he even of instruction." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at bachelor.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, affection." "A confidential servant?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my guilty parties." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously to-night?" I asked. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to some other building. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Seven!" I answered. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual call for it in person on Monday morning.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have disappearance of these gems?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to some other building. depend upon your compliance." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "What will you say?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Was the window open?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Oh, yes, easily." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble throat." been with you?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the knowledge of the world." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you your billet.' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "But he might be a bachelor." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I see many objections to any such theory." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every was lame." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Then I am your man." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a it with his own hands." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You will not go there first?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "None." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors eat it." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I will try. What is it?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was correct than the official force." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would signal between you and your father? "When did it break out?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. when you have done it." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Edgeware Road. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Always." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. criminal. We have already had experience of such." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." province." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy furiously. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "What! You do not mean bodies?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "But your client--" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I not fit the lock." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But who is he?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring strength." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of families. Now for the facts. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has forbidden door. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "No." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of which it had come upon my father." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of matter." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "No. What a strange idea!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons one of them." looking up at the numbers of the houses." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything ceremony." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in empty. "What! a murderous attack?" awkward doing business with an alias." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary His smile broadened. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men fasten all the windows?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Never,' said I. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Pray let us have it, for all that." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to