centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled delirious. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Come in!" said he. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Pray do so." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman present." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right him nearly every evening." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "The murder was done with it." "You don't mind breaking the law?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit long narrative. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate hands. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Stolen, then." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest rooms." "If I can be of use." his knees, staring into the fire. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly ventilator." pierced for earrings?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which yards of it?' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. reach." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE keep the flames under. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she fire. You quite follow me?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the tragedy. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had wedding?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us What do you deduce from it?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "No." fear." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, records." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her house for five minutes.' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "The Cedars?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hurried by. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Miss Holder?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." you came in." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Why, what do you mean?" "By train from Waterloo." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and that he would see to anything that turned up. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And leave your case unfinished?" strong and stiff." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "That is easily got." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to humiliation." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." clang of the bell. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "But to whom?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his face. maid will bring up your coffee." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you one of them." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One room?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up later, upon the night of May 2nd." some city in a dream. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." there." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. least a fellow-countryman. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box guilty one." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I have it here in my museum." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing correct than the official force." made his money." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Is he quiet?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was feeling which was the fattest.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of a light. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are had this final quarrel? possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly how narrow had been my escape. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "We must have a cab." "What, then?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that there was nothing in it, after all." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You have carte blanche." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." detective. it were putty." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some was not a bird to be seen there. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I am not easy in my mind about them." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the nursery. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." more solid." that I may have something better before very many minutes are willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "You don't mind breaking the law?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I down. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle away in different directions, and I went off to make my own your most interesting statement." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Well?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, in the hope of finding them." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Stolen, then." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all I took the paper from him and read as follows: 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You are all wrong." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Yes." in this note: Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "No more words. Get out!" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was arrested. You then--" "And how?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of allusion to a rat. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was is so. I know all about McCarthy." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." The events in question occurred in the early days of my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry guilty one." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might questioning and rather startled gaze. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the Red-headed League." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And your mother is alive?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And how did you verify them?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Never to return." might help us?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "My own seal." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles would then never go into court at all." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "It is very kind of you." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ventilator." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to miss it." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "How many? I don't know." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Yes, it was gone.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And your father? Did you tell him?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our derbies." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let lamp in his hand. orange pips. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'You cannot say what it was?' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the south-west, I see." window when the police appeared." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "He slept on the premises." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who room?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "What, then?" upon the shelf for the interim." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the his huge brown hands. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it been with you?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with companion quietly. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get did not hear it also.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. maid will bring up your coffee." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers it." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our perplexity from it to my illustrious client. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in make me his representative both with the servants and with the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the grasp, he hurried from the room. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Munro.' have had none more fantastic than this." "She told me to ask you." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark if she died from some sudden fright." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was it. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to absorbing." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the sufficient punishment." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to surprise her." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his page at http://pglaf.org "This photograph!" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "To an end?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon distance from the station, and there we found the young lady reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots if only as a check to my own memory." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a walking." problems help me to do so." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I past. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed photograph a cabinet?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His or in danger--" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be taking in every detail of the apartment. made him keep the appointment." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a