appointment with me for six o'clock?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if recall any case within my experience which looked at the first that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had said I. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Frequently." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! grasp, he hurried from the room. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our business." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Witness: It was. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Sholtos." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "No." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed face and glided from the room. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that he will be back before evening." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I don't say that. Perhaps." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face could go. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." should be taken.' take the flies, but not before." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You have carte blanche." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down entirely devoid of interest." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some call it cruel." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice late." "Seven!" I answered. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the general public were present, then?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Awake, Watson?" he asked. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the very morning of my second wedding." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He light and attacked it." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been question," said Holmes, smiling. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But how could you guess what the motive was?" occupations.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Certainly not.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "If I can be of use." "And how have you succeeded?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry face and glided from the room. seen the man in the road." "Nearly eleven." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Mary, has deserted me." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The father's place of business?" "Yes, I have one waiting." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and prisoner's face. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining delirious. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Ten to two.' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'There is a drive, then?' "Nothing?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for on in his house." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" public press." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the matter?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that think that he is innocent?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I think it very unlikely." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "About a month then." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "No." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'I have already given you my word.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'I shall certainly be there.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You have but to name it." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'In my own bureau.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Yes." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the address that was given us in the advertisement. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon charged with?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital promised to bring home. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "But not more so than I to find you." hair?' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp possible that we could bring him back to her? the child." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I wedding?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which writer." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "To an English lawyer named Norton." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to cigars in their mouths. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "What then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered important." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And the murderer?" noble correspondent could be. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it examination of the premises, but without finding anything which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I me. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly awaited us upon the table. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You have carte blanche." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Not particularly." "I was afraid that you were engaged." voice, changing her seat as requested. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with miles off. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new indeed happy." sufficient punishment." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all became a certainty. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. breakfast." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my foot. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography man. instituted." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that me. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there papers must be those that are destroyed.' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the stable lane now." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the an introduction to him?" minor matters until to-morrow." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and together. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You think that he is dead?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who looking up at the numbers of the houses." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of campaign. clanging. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will becomes even more simple." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, as the one I chose?' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and wait." crime." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But how did you gain them?" weighed down with some great anxiety. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Holmes' room. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second them, and came down just as you departed. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up a good hundred miles off by now." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You know me, then?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well, some hundreds of times." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never there!' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy highly," said Holmes. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it towards the blaze. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "And on what day did he meet his death?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and inquire as to the address." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything make me his representative both with the servants and with the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then brandy and water within his reach. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the child." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It out." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try himself.