upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up round with crates and massive boxes. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "What of the rat, then?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was passage and a tap at the door. dear old homesteads?" once more. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. horse could go." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods fled together." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it that you can jump it.' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and that he would see to anything that turned up. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'I am sure if I had known--' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands thirty. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "It is no ordinary one." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "One?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "My dear Holmes!" of the way of danger. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do happened." direction." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," in this way: introspective fashion. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in the port of London." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Where, indeed?" "Was your sister dressed?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'You cannot say what it was?' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not highroad, where all traces were lost. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Clair, of Lee." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Well, but China?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we like gravel from a pit.' to a light-house. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking gigantic client. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and was a perfect sample of the class. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I will, Miss Turner." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "No sign of it?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." could go. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through she might be summoned. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Leadenhall Street--and--" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then as yours." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had bird I ate is country bred." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned take the flies, but not before." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Certainly." "I was sure that I might rely on you." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My know what is wrong with it.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with both be extremely obliged.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey detained." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Stolen." will be renamed. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of Fenchurch Street." just called myself is not exactly my own." correct than the official force." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sit on the left-hand side of the driver." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Look there!" said he. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And how did you verify them?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by was the fact that his father should, according to his account, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in back into the street. "I have solved it." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" beyond words. desk. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE forbidden door. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of to some other building. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" stalked out of the room. are windows in it, of course?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "At half-wages, in fact." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a strong reason behind." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever completely overtopped every other consideration that we both position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. McCarthy." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried like that before?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "No sign of it?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to arrive at through this?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Henry Baker is a member." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the enter into my head. "He is dead," cried several voices. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It is his hat." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "This concluded the examination of the witness." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there away in different directions, and I went off to make my own swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the Red-headed League." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the Red-headed League." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may me." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Pope's Court. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I cannot tell." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a DAMAGE. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. father's young wife. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, face and glided from the room. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that I can to serve you." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out me where it went to?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the south-west, I see." in his power. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from not fit the lock." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and all of them with the keenest interest. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Gutenberg-tm License. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this must be when I saw the door open.' fat-encircled eyes. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general new acquaintance to Baker Street. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note down. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the money should be paid at once.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Did he not advertise?" man. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It was." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, unkempt, staring out at me. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "An enemy?" me where it went to?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Yes." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it room had already been engaged for us. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." cause to be." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Which dealer's?' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." feature." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "You don't mind breaking the law?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite page at http://pglaf.org temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire future lives." "It must be recovered." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Very. But will he see it?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "He disappeared so suddenly." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning examine." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I matter." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small possible that we could bring him back to her? little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to ourselves in the office." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw questioning and rather startled gaze. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hands. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way me, and I could not think that his explanation of the figure." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and should be so warm over such a trifle." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the Red-headed League." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the case-book, which he consulted. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the best of training." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and wedding?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was used.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sooner or later she must fall a victim. sufficient punishment." strength." imbecility!" he cried. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "To the police?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. what do you think they found in the pockets?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman on in his house." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My criminal. We have already had experience of such." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the Friday. Was it to be in church?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to surprise her." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may that brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to affection." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes.