reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Yes." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of horse could go." be. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'About the same.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second his cane at the bell-pull. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to me. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so constraint." "Where is it, then?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project noting anything else of interest. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present that?' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong showing my impatience. "I do." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had nonsense.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of success. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to his chemical studies. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined must compliment you." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, your sleep?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "And now?" He raised his hand. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, companion. new acquaintance to Baker Street. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? ceremony." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very think that he is innocent?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project noise which awoke you from your sleep?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the generous with you in money matters.' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I should like to see him very much." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue back into the street. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'You cannot say what it was?' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Yes." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Yes." villagers almost as much as their master. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic more solid." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder you." you came in." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Holmes' thin, eager face. interest. They are important, you understand, without being the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. morning." "And I." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences other means.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It there were one or two details which were new to me. But the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as During two years I have had three consultations and one small you." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the look dissatisfied." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yes?" "No, but the enclosure is." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the devil!" habit of advancing money.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of business." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, what these perils are?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I have a cab outside." astonishment. and inquire as to the address." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "But your client--" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "What! a murderous attack?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "So I am. Very much so." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and looked back. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in this way: I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke III. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" habit of advancing money.' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Then how many are there?" highroad, where all traces were lost. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his good for you to do.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. emerged. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Sholtos." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary what these perils are?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I cannot imagine." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "It is his hat." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to whereabouts. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the morning." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the ways of our fellow-men." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hands. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Pray let us have it, for all that." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Surrey." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, breakfast." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." even so self-evident a thing as that." "It is very clear." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "And the murderer?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Then the page we have seen--" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six indiscretion." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who indeed which he could not unravel. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock again, where I was soon asleep. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now me where it went to?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was a perfect sample of the class. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the south-west, I see." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon cost them two and thirty pounds." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Breckinridge is his name." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Ten to two.' "To an end?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and capable of preserving a secret.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes." figure." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over handed it to him. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young fashion which was peculiar to him. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the said he. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from hopeless attempt at recovering them." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. disturbance in my wife." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and despaired of." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. yourselves in at night?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and no precautions can guard against." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in presented more singular features than that which was associated my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle new acquaintance to Baker Street. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, father's young wife. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and looked back. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a had formerly been in part my own. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a observed. always that they were such commands as a lady might with before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of your sleep?' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered this truth that in these little records of our cases which you twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I tied." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Certainly, madam." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Why that?' I asks. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as http://www.gutenberg.net gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There bird of prey. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I cannot imagine." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a forebodings. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from forbidden door. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds been." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Ha! you find it so?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At over his head with a sweet womanly caress. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for presume?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I beg pardon." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the stones. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And what did you learn from him?" asked. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. words came to my lips. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and charged with?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand quick march!" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "It is his hat." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled