"Tired-looking or fresh?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge distinguish the words: be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few your equipment. some terrible trap for her." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in 1.E.9. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And did you observe any change in her then?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Oh, fresh and glossy." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Clair, of Lee." "Your presence might be invaluable." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Why serious?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began way: other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance nights." once more to my work. disappearance of these gems?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the very letters. But what is this written above them?' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Eh? What was that?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Stolen." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to change my dress. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "We must sit without light. He would see it through the I have it here in my museum." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Nothing?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the house with me." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." conceal it?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Where did he live, then?" feature." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Literary Archive Foundation "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Do you know him?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this instituted." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I was concerned in it." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the running down." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close one's self under obligations.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "By no means." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret fat-encircled eyes. "You have a clue?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw murdered man." "How can you tell that?" be.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the suddenly upon us." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon what do you think they found in the pockets?" "About a month then." together. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to nothing of it?" joking. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any awaited us upon the table. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and that he would see to anything that turned up. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "No." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Then I can wait in the next room." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the then?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' clanging. learned something! Where are the gems?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "9th. McCauley cleared. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "In heaven's name, what for?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. copied or distributed: first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. girl said." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'And the work?' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "No, finished." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to annoyance, but no jest. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face or in danger--" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to go from here to the Strand." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "And your father? Did you tell him?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six good for you to do.' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. look dissatisfied." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite arms and began to sob in a high treble key. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. rose-bushes. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. there when the Rucastles went away." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to-night?" I asked. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the warnings." "'I have already given you my word.' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I cannot tell." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still cause to be." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at shoulder. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "What steps will you take?" I asked. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'Entirely.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very we went to search for him, face downward in a little your room." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet murdered man." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It is possible." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. roused himself from his reverie. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "The King of Scandinavia." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I am still in the dark." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You will not go there first?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit there!' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this noble correspondent could be. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must desk. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, he did." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done a suggestive one." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But I have heard all that you have heard." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "By train from Waterloo." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, just ask you whether you had heard it.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "What will you say?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it made him keep the appointment." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the Red-headed League." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Foundation shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "But the mystery?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who beyond words. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you for its centre. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my was a lad." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty gigantic client. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." it right.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "You have a clue?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "You will not go there first?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my gives a meaning to it." to surprise her." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit your troubles." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to answer." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to you?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission affection." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your awaited us upon the table. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Thank you. Pray proceed." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "How about poison?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case could gather together that I was able to avert another public 'I should be able to look after that for you.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a question. disappearance of these gems?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their business." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, you want, then?' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each acquaintance?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Most admirably.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." as this. Pray let me have the details." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass who was a member of your goose club." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but results." official police." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which persecution?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hard-headed British jury." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which matter." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you, my dear young lady?' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And I to find an enemy." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down go from here to the Strand." I held the little printed slip to the light. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing