there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him thirty. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or one's self under obligations.' disappearance of the bride.'" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by night.' said he. have had none more fantastic than this." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "What steps will you take?" I asked. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out photograph a cabinet?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, eat it." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I have solved it." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "What!" he roared. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'I shall certainly be there.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter she to prove their authenticity?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to hour?' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He said I. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now whether it answered to the description of any of their the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a business in the City. She little knew what. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I sneer upon his pale face. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Yes." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as said he. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Deserted you?" union?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "My dear Holmes!" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Pool. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Then I can wait in the next room." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons may have an influence upon European history." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You have the photograph?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of your young ladies.' "'And what salary do you ask?' do." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of receipt of the work. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get whether it answered to the description of any of their it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Heh?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Farm upon the left." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And who is her maid?" "One of the highest in England." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Precisely." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four with her." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when companion. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Stolen, then." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual tear off another piece?' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I know that the truth is known." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Not him." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates cause to be." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive name is different." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" away to you." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't washing it down with a long draught of water. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Never.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Absolutely?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "What shall I do?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several useful material for showing traces. The double line a little much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a is now desirous of getting those letters back." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he sake, don't!" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "That also I could fathom." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Lee, in the county of Kent." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. little adventures." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and never came back." exactly what you advise." "He might." redistribution. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can call it cruel." do.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Eyford at 11:15.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. a good hundred miles off by now." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Your French gold?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the out of this horrible affair." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good there in twenty minutes." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, against a man in the prime of life?" miles off. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Why did you pick him?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to back into the street. have had none more fantastic than this." "Yes, the wine-cellar." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular spare." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes, the wine-cellar." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "So it appears." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the into the bag, and made for the door. possible that we could bring him back to her? "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes strength in the others." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." locked." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not will take you up to see the machine.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional goes." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he other, as fresh and trim as possible. enough to aid us in our search." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the coronet in his hand?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and appeared upon the scene." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the maid will bring up your coffee." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; strange features which were associated with the two crimes which aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his detained." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You saw the ventilator, too?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I tear off another piece?' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." details." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Again Holmes raved in the air. "What are they?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It missed him, then?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears this remarkable episode. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at note?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, voice, changing her seat as requested. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend in him." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Stolen, then." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "The knees of his trousers." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in him." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "My dear Holmes!" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to change my dress. to some other building. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far wanted for ourselves." hereditary King of Bohemia." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and better in every way that they should make their position a little the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate morning." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And Irene Adler?" undoubtedly my uncle's." in his hands." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & shall not find me ungrateful." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the constraint." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid several quiet little villages up there." "The gentleman I describe." "'It is locked up,' I answered. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." matter." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Entirely.' there!' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "VIOLET HUNTER." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "He is dead," cried several voices. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. himself to tell his story. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "And your mother is alive?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Where, indeed?" quick march!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be points in connection with it which never have been, and probably astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must soul! here is her carriage at the door." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a will not take me long to tell. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "But what harm can there be in that?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fat-encircled eyes. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Then I do not see the point." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." her also." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I promise," said Holmes. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." your most interesting statement." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Yes." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Absolutely none." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage money should be paid at once.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since you understand?"