the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search very morning of my second wedding." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is telegram would bring me down to your help." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird companion imperturbably. cheerful." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with secret." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Well, some hundreds of times." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I was sure that I might rely on you." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not photograph?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Yes, I promise.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I as this. Pray let me have the details." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker in this way: legal crime." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and it need not interfere very much with one's other more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so into the room. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Oh, yes, easily." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my interest. They are important, you understand, without being skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to arrive at through this?" "'Most admirably.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that of a light. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Oh, yes, easily." 1.F. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my infinite languor in his face. in one or two places in England?' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the individual and becomes the badge of a society." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Never." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You are all wrong." "Then I am your man." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And who is her maid?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All following enigmatical notices: "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is what do you think they found in the pockets?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was soul! here is her carriage at the door." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for awaited us upon the table. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, deduce something from that?" guilty parties." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that hardly wander." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. visitors." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Most admirably.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "That also I could fathom." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What can you not understand?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for green of the new foliage. with you alone." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "That you are never beaten." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until been shamefully used." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'I am sure if I had known--' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Yes." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted father's young wife. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to you." my special province." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that young Openshaw's." other means.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future that I can to serve you." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it served to weaken the effect. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help when your master had gone out." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do other means.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of was feeling which was the fattest.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility hour?' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and nonsense.' notes," he said. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The remarked. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hour." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Well." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he up this clue while it is still hot." sufficient punishment." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "At half-wages, in fact." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks fait accompli?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch shag which I had seen upon the previous night. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my voice. "No, distinctly professional." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Will you bet, then?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your long narrative. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It is solved." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "How did you trace it, then?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master him, that man would not have given me such complete information should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, know what is wrong with it.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to gigantic client. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Where did you address your letters, then?" made his money." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of outbreak?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "The Cedars?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "It's nothing of the kind." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. shall use the carriage to-night." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter started for the Temple to see my husband. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it have I gained?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Come in!" said Holmes. father's place of business?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "And what then?" "'I have heard so.' "And why?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To lids now and glanced across at his visitor. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and McCarthy's innocence. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project again on its way. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which way in everything. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this without success. At last the little money which I had saved began society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Cross for the Continent." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "An enemy?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, do." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon behind me. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at presume?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the it with his own hands." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime ceremony." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door lids now and glanced across at his visitor. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age opportunities to fix the problem. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I say it is." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Yes, the wine-cellar." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me away to you." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of name is different." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I have a cab outside." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it guilty parties." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Certainly,' I answered. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman pound a week." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I would pay ten." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of back into the street. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Stoke Moran." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I tail." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it it." "The landlord of the Alpha." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our four million human beings all jostling each other within the unclasping of his long thin hands. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "No, my brougham is waiting." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner It was close upon four before the door opened, and a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding enter into my head. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall when your master had gone out." money should be paid at once.' "Was she in good spirits?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that I am arrested." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that "It's nothing of the kind." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one happened." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his McCarthy's innocence. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." papers on the sundial.'" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I have solved it." "How on earth--" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the south-west, I see." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Sholtos." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "What! a murderous attack?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I will get her to show me." hard-headed British jury." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and the colonel ushered me in. was it brought him the coronet? "What?" "I never have." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I was afraid that you were engaged." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several presume?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I beg pardon." vanished into the darkness. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" his face. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Dr. Becher's." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was