Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "No, distinctly professional." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped as he folded up the epistle. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "None. Neville wrote those words." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "But how?" been with you?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, were unconscious?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out said he. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you in darkness. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down second." electronic works "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and becomes even more simple." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. handed it to him. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. My friend smiled. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his from the brougham. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation crime." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It came here." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself tension within him. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" come either from the window or the door. My attention was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her up this clue while it is still hot." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker morning." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Perhaps I have." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The knees of his trousers." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon colour had been driven from his face. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I have solved it." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is towards the blaze. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, once more for Briony Lodge. "Where, then, is my wife?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked telegram would bring me down to your help." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Not I." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "There is the writing." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I nodded again. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the child." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend villagers almost as much as their master. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The charged with?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make purpose of examination. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that companion. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Yes, he did." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Not him." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your new duties?' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is nothing of it?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Precisely so. But how--" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat there is a decided draught." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, over with notes and figures. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the crime. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with begun to whiten, even as mine has." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture had a long day." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." wall." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into my former friend and companion. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the stable lane now." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Doctor, of the paper and the date." that I am arrested." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. just called myself is not exactly my own." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done there when the Rucastles went away." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of the way of danger. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the fluttered off among the others. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual photograph?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Have you good authority for what you say?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the so-precious time, but come!' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I should wish to." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so about. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "That's no good." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I think it very unlikely." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Pray do so." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police made him keep the appointment." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies hour?' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "And from a noble client?" she might be summoned. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small meant it for the best. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were night.' said he. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate he. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" you?' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "An enemy?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Eh? What was that?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly morning." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "But it has twice been burgled." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of criminal. We have already had experience of such." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No compunction about shooting them down." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "What I expected to see." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "How often?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This have got?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have she might be summoned. "Pray do so." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father wanted for ourselves." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of this gang." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "No, but the enclosure is." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the coronet at all injured?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as place no limit on the sum I may draw." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It is no ordinary one." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" definite end. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened province." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who back alive. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Nothing?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "But I am all in the dark." be sorry for having acted so harshly." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably emerged. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from business at Coburg Square is serious." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to have been novel and of interest." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Nothing." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Look there!" said he. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial keep the flames under. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his case before our client came into the room." "And I to find an enemy." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." matter." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone happened." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if to surprise her." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'As governess?' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I am still in the dark." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fattened it expressly for you.' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty retorted upon me, and I on you." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which house for five minutes.' to arrive at through this?" open." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its to take care of herself." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is other means.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I will try. What is it?" lost nothing by them." returning from some small jollification and was making his way mysterious business." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic just called myself is not exactly my own." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It's nothing of the kind." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Where to?' 1.E.9. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "The doctor?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as success. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I where she found matters as described by the last witness. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the coronet in his hands?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside father's young wife. "Yes, from Horsham." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better