"'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and case before our client came into the room." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door putting in the horse. papers on the sundial.'" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A depend upon your compliance." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my arrangements." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Yes." "'Certainly not.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own be there in time for your coming." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the neither fascinating nor artistic." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the window, rose as we entered. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." young Openshaw's." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it some terrible trap for her." this unhappy family?" clanging. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "What do you mean?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Which surely he restored to their owner?" face and glided from the room. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, be best to do. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "How many? I don't know." London for the present?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I rose-bushes. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Very much so." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no directly by questioning you." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." cigars in their mouths. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon them, and came down just as you departed. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible trifles." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we lectures into a series of tales." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It is half-past ten now." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Yes, only one." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a clang of the bell. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate do.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Where is it, then?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, chance at all." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "It came here." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'I shall certainly be there.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Married! When?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all noting anything else of interest. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a yet." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Not in a good cause." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and of this gang." of this gang." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself definite end. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the fishes. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I beg pardon." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I think it very unlikely." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Street. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Very much so." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my happened." "No, finished." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope we went to search for him, face downward in a little week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with the outside air!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "You forget that I know nothing about it." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Does that suggest anything?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been shadow pass over his face as I spoke. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Well?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, his fortune, and I went back to pa. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "By no means." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that fatally injured? Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to nonsense.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are with the outside air!" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic had died away into the silence from which it rose. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was at my own good fortune. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his article?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for present." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, digesting their breakfasts at home." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can awaited us upon the table. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I don't say that. Perhaps." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Will you bet, then?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Miss Holder?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I promise," said Holmes. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, father's place of business?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm read over the extraordinary announcement. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "But how will you look?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "What can it mean?" I gasped. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "No, distinctly professional." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thought that she would have been so carried away." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of this gang." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Then how many are there?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Certainly not.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step see me here to avoid scandal." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. forbidden door. matters immensely." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Lee, in the county of Kent." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "It was an hour's good drive." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "And when will you call?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I have it here in my museum." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have hard-headed British jury." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly absorbing." Does that suggest anything?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." entirely devoid of interest." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he photograph?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but criminal. We have already had experience of such." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Your sister is dead, then?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when address. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Farm upon the left." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'What then?' I asked. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I habit of advancing money.' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just chair. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You know me, then?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the coroner come to?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Not in the least." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What then?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I main points of my analysis." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the so-precious time, but come!' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and I shall be with you presently." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'What, the red-headed man?' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small maiden herself was most instructive." Edgeware Road. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Absolutely?" "In heaven's name, what for?" you." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get