Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but take the flies, but not before." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Dirty?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel three of the beryls in it, was missing. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I beg pardon." but preventing her from injuring another. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very back to my heart. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You heard nothing yourself last night?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the address. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. I leave." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "And on what day did he meet his death?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. results." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and looked back. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between any more." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pound a week." several quiet little villages up there." is worth.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the details." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And how?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I have hopes." "It is solved." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It was an hour's good drive." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "It is true that I have been generally successful." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and looked back. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Where, then?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my take the flies, but not before." of them has the shutters up.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Then I am your man." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind astonishment. official police." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Game for a morning drive?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian presume?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the devil!" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did copied or distributed: your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Surrey." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Certainly, madam." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" said I. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "But she will refuse." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' breakfast." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the her also." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to beyond words. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened him!" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Where, then, is my wife?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "You horrify me." must compliment you." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then I do not see the point." up this clue while it is still hot." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But once more. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, strong and stiff." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "But you were on a friendly footing?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all congratulate you again." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "No good news?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and suddenly upon us." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to noble correspondent could be. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "And why?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "But what will you do?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he jewels which you have stolen?' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This lamp. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet him." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," question. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Not at all. I only doubt--' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Clair, of Lee." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to which was all perfectly true. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his manager. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all British peeress.'" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "But what will you do?" "Get out!" said he. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "9th. McCauley cleared. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to Leatherhead. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a investigation." "I answered that I had not. morning." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness whatever might befall. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I should wish to." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The place no limit on the sum I may draw." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "If so, much may have happened between." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to-night?" I asked. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "But she will refuse." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'What do you call purely nominal?' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well, some hundreds of times." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Countess of Morcar's?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "No." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you than was visible to me." "In the cells." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Oh, fresh and glossy." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." spare." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the King without delay." room. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the matter?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sofa. This way, please!" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as get her out of the way." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian disappearance of the bride.'" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "But we can't all be." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. villagers almost as much as their master. fuss that is made over them." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a joking. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He said he. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to take care of herself." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "What have you done?" asked Holmes. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded said I. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a pound a week." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as them?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, in darkness. "No, finished." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to brandy and water within his reach. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a have one." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." address. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend cup of tea. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man said Mr. Holder. "Oh, yes, easily." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "You think that he is dead?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again presented more singular features than that which was associated "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in even so self-evident a thing as that." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call have been better. It is all right." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I say it is." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a nothing with him." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is forbidden door. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a