across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and the whole place is in a blaze." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new sneer upon his pale face. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform name is different." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "My dear Holmes!" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he appeal." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Pray let us have it, for all that." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand The police have openly confessed that they can at present make wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and man. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven business in the City. She little knew what. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the stable lane now." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Very murderous indeed." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You are all wrong." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'I am sure that I do not know.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will back to my heart. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was fear." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle disappearance of the bride.'" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end bird of prey. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is than was visible to me." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "One of his hands." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his said he. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was some terrible trap for her." "The rest you will leave in our hands." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I never have." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he returning from some small jollification and was making his way determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Then the page we have seen--" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But we can't all be." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. charged with?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear through." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey use an arc-and-compass breastpin." will be renamed. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, instituted." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had outside. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for second." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the should be taken.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must matter." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Certainly." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Then I can wait in the next room." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'Is purely nominal.' meanly of me." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "That is easily got." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Certainly, madam." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Will you go?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And what did you see?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is very clear." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Of what day?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless front of me. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the nursery. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It certainly sounds feasible." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy through." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the hurried by. "In what way?" asked Holmes. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few round and wave him away like that.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to arrive at through this?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fluttered off among the others. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It speckled band?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, upon a handsome competence. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What then?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are This is what he says: deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Yes, it was gone.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and events than those which have happened in my own family." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two written. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and them present such singular features as the strange train of "Stolen, then." take the flies, but not before." affair. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. are, and they are waiting for us." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "An accident, I presume?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been 1.F. http://www.gutenberg.net "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom him, that man would not have given me such complete information course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "One of the highest in England." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us second window is the one that I jumped from." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "My dear Holmes!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Your presence might be invaluable." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away tapping his fingers upon the table. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of if I call to-morrow?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "To ruin me." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at is acting for the best. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" there is a decided draught." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home four million human beings all jostling each other within the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Was your sister dressed?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the question. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Stoke Moran?" said he. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for signal between you and your father? you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I cannot tell." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "How did he come?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad have I gained?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of against a man in the prime of life?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we 'please.'" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire which I could not give. He asked for Alice. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit through." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband His smile broadened. been able to understand it, in a very few words. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is gone. excitement. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his chambers. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Is purely nominal.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." stepfather?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that question. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." light and attacked it." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "No, but the enclosure is." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in detained." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the devil!" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit arrested. You then--" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the Assizes." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I will try. What is it?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and problems help me to do so." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving wall." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass nothing of it?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others pierced for earrings?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of the way of danger. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. own family. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my