Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, which our visitor detailed to us. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at my room." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. said I. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, room. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'I shall certainly be there.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were my little problems." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "We must have a cab." "But to whom?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." it right.' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter call the police, let the police find what they can.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I cannot imagine." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the bed, and you in that chair." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall fait accompli?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When It may be so in this case, also." "But how will you look?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Does that suggest anything?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival me." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I should wish to." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of know all about it," he snarled. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without village inn over there?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me present strange and interesting features that it is no easy should be taken.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a possible that we could bring him back to her? thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through outside." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are own family. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Yes, it would be as well." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could these bleak autumnal evenings." said he. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds writers could invent nothing more crude." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'A dozen yards or so.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Texas, I think." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' nothing with him." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I business?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Won't it ring?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I was keenly on my guard against him. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and I shall be with you presently." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have gone. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my my special province." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "None." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" this Miss Turner." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Mary, has deserted me." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making use an arc-and-compass breastpin." his knees, staring into the fire. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for your sleep?' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come as the one I chose?' "'Certainly not. But why?' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort minor matters until to-morrow." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Yes, certainly." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." until night should bring an explanation. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly pity, because in other respects you would really have done very of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "You don't mind breaking the law?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual not personally threatened." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is next day. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from is acting for the best. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "What! You do not mean bodies?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to change my dress. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." ceremony." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had again, where I was soon asleep. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "By train from Waterloo." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which developed." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Dark enough and sinister enough." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' highroad, where all traces were lost. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the it." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very during which he might have communicated with his friend the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the said I. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. face and glided from the room. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to coroner's jury." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "So I heard. You have him here?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always one else, I think." upon the white wrist. Gutenberg-tm License. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Yes." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. get the tickets." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Come in!" said he. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I think that I had better go, Holmes." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the guilty one." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Entirely.' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Yes. He waved his hands." will take you up to see the machine.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that way in." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I see many objections to any such theory." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Texas, I think." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'And the work?' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and your relations to her." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "The landlord of the Alpha." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Nothing?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Will you go?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Yes, sir.' is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Then how many are there?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'It is locked up,' I answered. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and signal between you and your father? "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the morning." "'Where to?' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I British peeress.'" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Precisely." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I was concerned in it." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at instituted." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two experiences." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the better grown goose." his knees, staring into the fire. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from present." your sleep?' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "What steps will you take?" I asked. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hour?' brain must have something in it." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Who by?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you she used." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and the colonel ushered me in. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good morning." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Nothing." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt felt?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian open." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Then you may be so with me." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to of Mr. Rucastle's." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It was an hour's good drive." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to-night's adventure." cause to be." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Not social, then?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was a perfect sample of the class. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "But how?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a invisible to me," I remarked. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'In my own bureau.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But he might be a bachelor." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. must be when I saw the door open.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most past. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was off." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and the church but not where the lady lived." John Swain, of St. Augustine. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will morning." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, case-book, which he consulted. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first