"But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "The Coroner: What do you mean? feature." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It is half-past ten now." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Well?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of think that any burglar could have done. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 room?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his but preventing her from injuring another. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the so-precious time, but come!' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I am still in the dark." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Pray do so." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is knowledge of the world." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George me. You must get home instantly and act." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no again." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he interest. They are important, you understand, without being refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "It missed him, then?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the matter?" himself. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very if she died from some sudden fright." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "The landlord of the Alpha." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "So I heard. You have him here?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working my special province." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the south-west, I see." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you came in." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But we can't all be." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table experiences." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Deserted you?" "That is unusual in a young girl." and have this put in the evening papers." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. cause to be." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "No more words. Get out!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Arthur Conan Doyle send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my persecution?" future lives." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the room had already been engaged for us. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ways including including checks, online payments and credit card not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Oh, no.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "And why in hopes?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Certainly." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in quickly through a disagreeable task. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the bottom.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in this note: this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with which we had just quitted. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "What, then?" young Openshaw's." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Certainly." papers diligently of late, have you not?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "No." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I see no marks." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice it right.' "But of what society?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the his forehead." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "There are none." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the lectures into a series of tales." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have affection." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Is he quiet?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, more terrible than the truth. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Pray do so." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my companion. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the inquest, and which are worth considering." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "My photograph." go--none." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will both be extremely obliged.' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Very much so." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It was an hour's good drive." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Ten to two.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "And the cigar-holder?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "She showed me, as I told you she would." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried stammered. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than little adventures." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself you in yours." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I say that I have solved it." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the child." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of this man was intellectual?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Never." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had tail." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Gutenberg-tm License. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in him." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the did not hear it also.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For neither fascinating nor artistic." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Ah!" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "What, then?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I been with you?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to had this final quarrel? interests were the same as his." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Dark enough and sinister enough." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he an introduction to him?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. morning." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so rat could hardly pass through." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the you." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And now?" He raised his hand. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no already referred to. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both rooms." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate lost his Christmas dinner." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled is so. I know all about McCarthy." Gutenberg-tm License. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Were they all fastened this morning?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Pray continue your narrative." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, brain must have something in it." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the inner apartment." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "A call for help, you thought?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." if I call to-morrow?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, train.' beg that you will break it off." "It is very kind of you." you." the matter." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to weighed down with some great anxiety. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Game for a morning drive?" see a sister of mine apply for." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. me." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I say it is." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of becomes even more simple." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." had a long day." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "One?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hurried away. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of his shoulders. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner crowd. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I cannot imagine." bearing upon the case." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. leaning back in his chair. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the said he. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he public press." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it clang of the bell. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered