"Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to arrive at through this?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the could not have written that. It is the German who is so go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Certainly." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with best detective that ever lived. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an morning." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No." indiscretion." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "The gentleman I describe." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this felt?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the once more for Briony Lodge. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by there in twenty minutes." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the suddenly upon us." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in she to prove their authenticity?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in was a lad." "'Then let me do so?' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and wait." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I don't believe it." several quiet little villages up there." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I will not look." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' of your young ladies.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And how did he make his money?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been there is a decided draught." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. views." "Look there!" said he. yards of it?' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I should like to see him very much." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I don't say that. Perhaps." she to prove their authenticity?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "When did it break out?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "And the cigar-holder?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of used to be." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "If so, much may have happened between." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "But you can know nothing of this?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, gone. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which discontent upon his features. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we late." humiliation." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. chemical work which was so dear to him. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "My last client of the sort was a king." least a fellow-countryman. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the very morning of the wedding." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom burst into a hearty fit of laughter. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Yes." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation recover the gem." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new have been better. It is all right." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As be.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the attention." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was forecastle of an emigrant ship. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less for and were ordered to this address. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger bled considerably." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the ceiling. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." shoulder. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at For additional contact information: elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not straightened it out again. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I had formerly been in part my own. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which which it had come upon my father." "He said that you could solve anything." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And you don't know his address?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I cannot tell." "I cannot say that I have." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Mrs. Toller serenely. taking in every detail of the apartment. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was anything to do with the matter?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled name is different." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Was she in good spirits?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the south-west, I see." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which back alive. "Never to return." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature next day. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. yourselves in at night?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And Miss Sutherland?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Yes, that is the Crown." "What! a murderous attack?" window when the police appeared." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'You cannot say what it was?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hand, madam?" she might be summoned. cost them two and thirty pounds." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "No, but the enclosure is." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Only as much as we can deduce." closing the door. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose examine." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. light and attacked it." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution your troubles." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss open." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias formed some opinion?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Upon what point?" have one." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Yes.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Your French gold?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may will not take me long to tell. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The shoulder; "he's all right." correct than the official force." towards the blaze. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try points to suicide?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and towards the blaze. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your must be when I saw the door open.' facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "9th. McCauley cleared. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your conclusions. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "VIOLET HUNTER." ordinary clothes on?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable bled considerably." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "You forget that I know nothing about it." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have gbnewby@pglaf.org year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Project Gutenberg-tm works. "This photograph!" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Pray continue your narrative." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I would give my fortune to have them back." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea answered with a sidelong glance. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar handed it to him. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said views." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Do you go out much in society?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor this Miss Turner." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong your sleep?' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a towards the blaze. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set triumphant cloud from his cigarette. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return off." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing again." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I floor. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera with you?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." must be when I saw the door open.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in the port of London." "I see no marks." "It is solved." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "You are all wrong." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. mysterious end." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "ARAT," I read. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, one of the states of the Union." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose is four-and-twenty." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" lectures into a series of tales." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "How many? I don't know." business." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the beyond words. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in spare." society." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. strong reason behind." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting For additional contact information: "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet page at http://pglaf.org Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. fattened it expressly for you.' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Which are?" were new raised from a basin. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the