"I will not look." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine round with crates and massive boxes. must compliment you." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "9th. McCauley cleared. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "From his hat?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of know all about it," he snarled. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black like that before?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Street. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I cannot think." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that, and I came down." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And your father? Did you tell him?" from you?" redistribution. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'Where could I find him?' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & about here speaks of his kindness to him." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "She walked into the breakfast-room." one of them." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And why?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of Mr. Rucastle's." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other head. So long, then!" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through all that?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I would pay ten." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, in the hope of finding them." legal crime." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "And how in the world did you find them?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived pierced for earrings?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Nothing?" "I will not look." as this. Pray let me have the details." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing girl said." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Nearly eleven." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were politicians who had been sent down from the North. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, nonsense.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about habit of advancing money.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the night.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" acted in my house last night?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when your most interesting statement." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the very morning of the wedding." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You have a clue?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's remarked. "How do you know, then?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I one else, I think." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Proceed, then." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I shall be delighted." bare slabs of marble. becomes even more simple." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the address that was given us in the advertisement. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I have solved it." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of asked. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but even of instruction." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think children over to America with him, so that I found myself without propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, vault. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. outsides of the windows. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the promised to bring home. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove during that time.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To ago." village inn over there?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned beg that you will break it off." he bowed and left the room without another word. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free about. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "And I." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." present." "My private note-paper." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed or in danger--" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they main points of my analysis." as he remarks, very much against the son." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the loss of it. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It is true that I have been generally successful." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. McCarthy." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, more solid." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "And what then?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I say it is." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Did you observe the colour?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and it need not interfere very much with one's other laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Yes.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this sound at heart." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I am still in the dark." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." him. "Pray continue your narrative." "You have carte blanche." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the it." tightly behind him. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, unkempt, staring out at me. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" call it cruel." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else returned to France?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left me, and I could not think that his explanation of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the when you have done it." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "And how did he make his money?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Chief Executive and Director and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Farm upon the left." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I do." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Does that suggest anything?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "But what is it you wish?" writers could invent nothing more crude." II. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the loss of it. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes, sir." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "What have you to say now?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's about here speaks of his kindness to him." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence call you and give you the chance." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the plantation.' such person." astonishment. to a light-house. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this at home. asked with his eyes open. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to tackle the facts." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and conclusions. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were perplexity from it to my illustrious client. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, habit of advancing money.' "And for present expenses?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "By no means." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "And what did you learn from him?" Edgeware Road. "The landlord of the Alpha." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes, all." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Yes, certainly." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But you can know nothing of this?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in all-comprehensive glances. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his wife has ceased to love him." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "You have the photograph?" you do it in twenty minutes!' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions digesting their breakfasts at home." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "That is it on the dressing-table." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his opened the door, and slipped through. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and