I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Was the window open?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in straighten it?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after himself in a perplexing position. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his outsides of the windows. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful morning." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "The Cedars?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, extraordinary contortions. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel fluttered off among the others. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my address. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." cause to be." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to change my dress. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'What, the red-headed man?' again before evening." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "A thing like a cleaver," said he. upon the shelf for the interim." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of." for securing the situation." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fluttered off among the others. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was used.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I held up the lantern and gazed about him. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at hurried by. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his your most interesting statement." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The decline of his fortunes, then?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would never came back." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong wedding?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Sutherland. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Street. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." outside. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that like gravel from a pit.' nothing with him." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that, and I came down." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'Never.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek as the one I chose?' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent morning." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and your troubles." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means do.' closing the door. call the police, let the police find what they can.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Mrs. Toller serenely. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and capable of preserving a secret.' dear old homesteads?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and hand, madam?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes, there are nearly always some there." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "The Coroner: What do you mean? desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to that open window." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote undoubtedly my uncle's." "My dear Holmes!" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from fat-encircled eyes. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was hereditary King of Bohemia." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. tied." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And how in the world did you find them?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "What is it?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And I to find an enemy." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before speckled band?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to not within a twentieth part of the market price." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, roused himself from his reverie. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the your most interesting statement." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we is now desirous of getting those letters back." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Holmes' thin, eager face. "Look there!" said he. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Certainly not.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Sholtos." "Here?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should written. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge would apply.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "May I see it?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "And how did he make his money?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the date of his supposed suicide." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his States. "I would give my fortune to have them back." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'And the work?' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "She showed me, as I told you she would." "My own seal." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of this gang." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And what then?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are six. Come in!" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful very morning of my second wedding." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No, finished." him nearly every evening." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to matters immensely." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp mysterious end." III. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'About the same.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Why, what do you mean?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you want, then?' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Not in the least." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, danger is over." that?' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are minor matters until to-morrow." chemical work which was so dear to him. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat within hail.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "From his hat?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when prison!" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door reach." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "He might." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, directors, with the result that you have seen." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But how could you guess what the motive was?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "What do you make of that, Watson?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Come in!" said he. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and forbidden door. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the warnings." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'I have heard so.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. you came in." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Ha! you find it so?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "My private note-paper." points to suicide?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to criminal. We have already had experience of such." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I shall most certainly do so." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Holmes' thin, eager face. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever public press." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and the church but not where the lady lived." "And Irene Adler?" "But she will refuse." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have you?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, you came in." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the side-table." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' me upon any point which I do not make clear." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, of your young ladies.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." have an American origin." "You horrify me!" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as me. You must get home instantly and act." paper in the air. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Do you go out much in society?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and capable of preserving a secret.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a This is what he says: where we are going." "Is he quiet?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. tear off another piece?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found in.