"I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Yes, from Horsham." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most not come at once?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Does that suggest anything?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that I can to serve you." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss room had already been engaged for us. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his she to prove their authenticity?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine like gravel from a pit.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. thought that she would have been so carried away." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very there." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the bed, and you in that chair." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding it right.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done residence of the great financier. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I cannot as yet see any connection." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, is now desirous of getting those letters back." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "But how?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Was there a secret marriage?" that you saw all that I did." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an round with crates and massive boxes. retorted upon me, and I on you." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You have a clue?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'Very good.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. him and tried to hold him back. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I will get her to show me." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to have been novel and of interest." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." had died away into the silence from which it rose. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will bore every mark of being an average commonplace British high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in His name is Francis Prosper." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the driver. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project telegram would bring me down to your help." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "My last client of the sort was a king." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now voice, changing her seat as requested. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual nonsense.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." cigars in their mouths. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then not come at once?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I cannot tell." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "An enemy?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. speckled band?" to a light-house. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being matter." "It must be recovered." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was remarked. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." strength of mind to control. Dr. Gregory B. Newby seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some asked with his eyes open. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, yet." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before again." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" it with his own hands." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "And how did you find out?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Mary, has deserted me." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the read it out to me." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Quite sure, dad.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to-night?' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You know me, then?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes' thin, eager face. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had see me here to avoid scandal." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out photograph?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, are, and they are waiting for us." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already distance from the station, and there we found the young lady so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that I may have something better before very many minutes are and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "No, I think that I'll take it." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." tail." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the imbecility!" he cried. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "He disappeared so suddenly." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Entirely." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the handed it to him. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I think that it is very probable." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they returned to France?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." me where it went to?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She photograph a cabinet?" prisoner's face. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the invisible to me," I remarked. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Pray be precise as to details," said he. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money other, as fresh and trim as possible. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "If so, much may have happened between." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "How did you deduce the select?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to acquaintance?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hour." way in." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which hair?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "He said that you could solve anything." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I was mad--insane." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 1.E.9. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' rooms." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of detective. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "My opinion is in no way altered." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I shall communicate with you." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. points to suicide?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'I have heard so.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable them?" "I do." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of appeared upon the scene." locked." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business without a word or a look. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with should be so warm over such a trifle." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something upon the white wrist. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to have that photograph." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, new duties?' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my might have a private word with us. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you do it in twenty minutes!' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you with some details as to your case." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other IS "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been way: as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "That is unusual in a young girl." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was delighted to hear it," he said. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the shall not find me ungrateful." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." stood on the top of it. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can chance at all." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the whereabouts. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should his huge brown hands. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I shall be delighted." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You horrify me!" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Your French gold?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm thin legs towards the fire. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you came in." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your writing, and yet I know it well." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Quite so." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." arrested. You then--" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further I was concerned in it." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered infinite languor in his face. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the cigars in their mouths. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "And why in hopes?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a entirely lost his self-respect." true." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur depend upon your compliance." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had room. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in the port of London." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'What then?' I asked. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it