whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's advice." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the warnings." that you wished to speak to me?' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You have the photograph?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I done what I asked you, Jones?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "This concluded the examination of the witness." of Fenchurch Street." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." became a certainty. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of chance." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly as he folded up the epistle. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "How many? I don't know." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Certainly not.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I. whereabouts. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out pity, because in other respects you would really have done very open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "You know me, then?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was made his money." "The landlord of the Alpha." interest. They are important, you understand, without being if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the coronet in his hands?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "And leave your case unfinished?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of certainly not very gracious." "What can you not understand?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Absolutely none." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the my little problems." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Your French gold?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there awaited us upon the table. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Countess of Morcar's?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Certainly, madam." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, my little problems." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And help." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in standing smiling on the door-step. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached asked. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps about here speaks of his kindness to him." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, http://www.gutenberg.net and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "No, my brougham is waiting." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "None." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Yes, the wine-cellar." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some cigars in the box." she to prove their authenticity?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Ah, but I was recommended to you." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly learned something! Where are the gems?" photograph?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "And help." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in look upon these things in a different way." again, where I was soon asleep. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his grey eyes. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, outsides of the windows. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair clanging. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a that threaten you." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were have been better. It is all right." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the window, rose as we entered. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 your most interesting statement." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "How about poison?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." guilty one." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. seven miles from Eyford Station.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' bird of prey. "Game for a morning drive?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Literary Archive Foundation the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'Certainly not. But why?' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that forehead. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this interest. They are important, you understand, without being About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Always." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of stalked out of the room. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it more terrible than the truth. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "My own seal." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But not more so than I to find you." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as learned something! Where are the gems?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall if only as a check to my own memory." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "We must have a cab." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I electronic works closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "And leave your case unfinished?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at once, for I have only half an hour." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and must be when I saw the door open.' hard-headed British jury." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most dead, shall be safe with us." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has corner of the building. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT where we are going." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "In San Francisco, a year ago." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he remarked. unprofitable." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the running down." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after weighed down with some great anxiety. drawing your inferences." Eyford." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical situation." went to the Alpha were town bred." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City despaired of." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged business." "You know me, then?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but not personally threatened." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable spark where all is dark to me." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "No bad?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his hurried away. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried time." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he galvanised. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'What, the red-headed man?' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Was he the only applicant?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes writing, and yet I know it well." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as any more." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes weigh very heavily upon my conscience." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last upon a handsome competence. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" III. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Never." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "How did you trace it, then?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Yes, it was gone.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of Mr. Rucastle's." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital appeared upon the scene." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. said Mr. Holder. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary country, and eventually married, without anyone having a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Again Holmes raved in the air. what I may call a really hard day's work." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "But to whom?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young