"And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I photograph a cabinet?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at highroad, where all traces were lost. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" very old mansion. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers fasten all the windows?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. of Mr. Rucastle's." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which furiously. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Oh, fresh and glossy." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than remarked. his face. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother empty. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I should be immensely obliged to you." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a own family. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." emerged. becomes even more simple." desk. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your into the bag, and made for the door. "A greater distance to travel." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss direction." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an must be when I saw the door open.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive had no one to advise her at such a crisis." will he say when he returns?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I cannot imagine." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Countess of Morcar's?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What! You do not mean bodies?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your prisoner's face. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg nothing with him." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Could he throw no light?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fear." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were in his hands." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the behind me. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "If so, much may have happened between." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "9th. McCauley cleared. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources London for the present?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Pray continue your narrative." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Then I am your man." "I was mad--insane." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the best of training." the warnings." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. little adventures." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the death." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out habit of advancing money.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will companion. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was ran thus: - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in our word." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled your own bird, so if you wish--" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been confronted him. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something again." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No more words. Get out!" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe as he remarks, very much against the son." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as in him." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "VIOLET HUNTER." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from paper in the air. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I next day. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Then I am your man." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to change my dress. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on I shall communicate with you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of then?" she to prove their authenticity?" in a very precise fashion." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew think you a quite exceptional woman." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew how narrow had been my escape. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." unprecedented a position." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to fled together." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of so.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to have that photograph." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George might help us?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "No, I think that I'll take it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in noting anything else of interest. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'What are you doing there?' he asked. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his key turn in the lock." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed he. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Quite so." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "And I to find an enemy." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab of the way of danger. results." 1.E.9. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an him." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would morning." "Where, indeed?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg enter Dr. Roylott's room." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "What I expected to see." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Precisely so. But how--" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the returned to France?" "I came to find a friend." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "How often?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the very morning of the wedding." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." eat it." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to voice, changing her seat as requested. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside maid will bring up your coffee." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "But I am all in the dark." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You think that he is dead?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. crowd. "Never." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the stones. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in his power. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the keep the flames under. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just should be so warm over such a trifle." occupations.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor over part of the map. "What do you read?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Where did he live, then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, gone before you can get him to hospital." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes, at the mines." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his posted to-day." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the inquest, and which are worth considering." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "About a month then." "At what time?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Your presence might be invaluable." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began might help us?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken notes," he said. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just http://www.gutenberg.net bell. Holmes whistled. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is very kind of you." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the one as in the other." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery manager. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Stolen." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is from you?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some some water from a caraffe. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Your French gold?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her have had none more fantastic than this." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly II. bonnet, and went out." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Can I be of assistance?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Is he quiet?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours against a man in the prime of life?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." get her out of the way." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes interests were the same as his." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall remarked. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this in darkness. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." wedding?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a The King stared at him in amazement. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I cannot tell." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I address.