some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the take the flies, but not before." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this you came in." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "That is easily got." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be details." "And leave your case unfinished?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My last client of the sort was a king." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in prepare for the new role I have to play." carpenter." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Yes." "'Yes, it was gone.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "It is solved." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had annoyance, but no jest. "Where, indeed?" is four-and-twenty." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Then how many are there?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and telegram would bring me down to your help." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and had a long day." business in the City. She little knew what. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk went to the Alpha were town bred." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Ha! you find it so?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I have my revolver," said I. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I am all attention, madam." bears upon the case?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. fishes. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. article?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared absorbing." becomes even more simple." were wasted." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "No, I had a dozen." "And you can do nothing until then?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the You want to know what became of those geese?" jewels which you have stolen?' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This bled considerably." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. own family. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are children over to America with him, so that I found myself without see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy very peculiar words of the dying woman?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." me. You must get home instantly and act." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of remarked. "9th. McCauley cleared. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and morning." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Pope's Court. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. so.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, presume?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the brandy and water within his reach. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her upon the shelf for the interim." Where does the thing come from?' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in points to suicide?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Get out!" said he. started for the Temple to see my husband. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'You cannot say what it was?' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. call it cruel." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this pressing in one house as in another. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I was afraid that you were engaged." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'It is locked up,' I answered. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'As governess?' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hour?' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I key turn in the lock." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I prisoner's face. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." name is different." in him." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the morning and make my own way in the world.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, respectable self." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And now?" I asked. girl said." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most round with crates and massive boxes. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Oh, yes, easily." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But his lameness?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I this as likely?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fire. You quite follow me?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of the way of danger. later, upon the night of May 2nd." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "One of his hands." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "How did you trace it, then?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "What then?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? been with you?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened away to you." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Ten will be early enough." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "A client, then?" ready to-morrow?' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." copied or distributed: "Why did you pick him?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you never to learn it at all." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "My dear Holmes!" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at again, where I was soon asleep. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke ways of our fellow-men." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I think that it is very probable." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your had died away into the silence from which it rose. hurried away. questionable one." whatever might befall. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "None." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Pray do so." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing there when the Rucastles went away." "And you thought he was pulled back?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "In the cells." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And you thought he was pulled back?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy carpenter." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method enough to aid us in our search." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." wife's character?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "VIOLET HUNTER." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than arrangements." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "It is true that I have been generally successful." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." your billet.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded absolutely follow my advice in every respect." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Her father is very rich?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Did your wife hear all this?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I would pay ten." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, bedroom door." from you?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of could gather together that I was able to avert another public Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Here?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Quite sure, dad.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend room had already been engaged for us. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Have you it here?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "But how did you gain them?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I was afraid that you were engaged." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well, but China?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "No." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank gone. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously astonishment. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. that he will be back before evening." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to chambers. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but,