his huge brown hands. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you morning." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "And now?" He raised his hand. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fishes. and a shock of very red hair. "Ah!" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'And the work?' "Where, then?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance down. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'Very good.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yes, the wine-cellar." voice, changing her seat as requested. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, papers diligently of late, have you not?" the Red-headed League." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "We have tried and failed." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away tension within him. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "How did you deduce the select?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be directors, with the result that you have seen." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an said Mr. Holder. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the meanly of me." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that, and I came down." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my you." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sofa. This way, please!" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled once more. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I think it very unlikely." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I awaited us upon the table. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary correct than the official force." touch that coronet?' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain detained." in the dead of the night?' not come at once?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the His name is Francis Prosper." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Ten to two.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. placed his cuttings. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." too. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is until night should bring an explanation. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It looks newer than the other things?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'What, the red-headed man?' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a him to go away.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. how narrow had been my escape. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new rat could hardly pass through." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Certainly not. But why?' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I see no marks." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "She walked into the breakfast-room." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then your bag." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point residence of the great financier. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. him to go away.' papers on the sundial.'" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, something of him before." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. enter into my head. "No, I think that I'll take it." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the was a perfect sample of the class. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Pray tell us what has happened to you." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the know what is wrong with it.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Stolen." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "But how will you look?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And how did you verify them?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I nodded to show that I had heard. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I held the little printed slip to the light. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to a room. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of without a word or a look. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and some city in a dream. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." know what is wrong with it.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "About a month then." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Entirely." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock depend upon your compliance." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those indeed happy." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I was sure that I might rely on you." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, my special province." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our man. you do it in twenty minutes!' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King everything which you would wish to know." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "By train from Waterloo." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a was a perfect sample of the class. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "By train from Waterloo." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. already referred to. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Well, it is a possible supposition." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. think, you have already met." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fuss that is made over them." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." go back?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Stolen." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. next day. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the said he. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his several quiet little villages up there." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have very morning of my second wedding." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the eat it." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Will you bet, then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Deserted you?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It was a confession," I ejaculated. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes in the hope of finding them." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "It was." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the inquest, and which are worth considering." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "But of what society?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to this Miss Turner." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it were putty." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Nothing?" case-book, which he consulted. think that he is innocent?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he is so. I know all about McCarthy." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing your troubles." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. legal crime." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Yes.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was joking. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must copied or distributed: "Game for a morning drive?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable had this final quarrel? means taking possession of that which another person has a prior strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their humiliation." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." here." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." spare." "How did that help you?" security.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug official police." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." delighted to hear it," he said. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Ha! you find it so?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us yourselves in at night?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What steps will you take?" I asked. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet is four-and-twenty." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the floor. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What, then, did Peterson do?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own closely." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Is he quiet?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and sake, don't!" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Yes, it was gone.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, investigation." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "And who is her maid?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to a more successful conclusion." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Very. But will he see it?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fashion which was peculiar to him. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and inquire as to the address." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly be. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Dr. Gregory B. Newby character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch open." to tackle the facts." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making http://gutenberg.net/license). a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, promised to bring home. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I cannot tell." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is