"I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Yes, I promise.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" your only hope of safety." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to notes," he said. little trying to do so much typewriting?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I see many objections to any such theory." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would one's self under obligations.' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'You cannot say what it was?' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and that he would see to anything that turned up. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most chance at all." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "To ruin me." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that least a fellow-countryman. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done been deceived." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and that he would see to anything that turned up. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Where, indeed?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not distinguish the words: next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dates and names. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Stolen." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his already referred to. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for less than 26s. 4d. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either was a perfect sample of the class. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock unprofitable." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the inner apartment." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this tell him that I know him to be innocent." once more. brain must have something in it." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of bachelor.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common figure." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the King without delay." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "A client, then?" own family. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'What, the red-headed man?' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I cannot imagine." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to surprise her." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set burst into a hearty fit of laughter. becomes even more simple." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. written, and locked the door of the office after me. you understand?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it been deceived." Watson," he said cordially. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Your presence might be invaluable." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Yes." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to a more successful conclusion." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." generous with you in money matters.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "And how?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Bought." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yes." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." peculiar to him. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their newspaper selections." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have threw himself down with his face to the pillow. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure unkempt, staring out at me. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to must be when I saw the door open.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm have not had my rubber." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You saw the ventilator, too?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And why?" fuss that is made over them." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have washing it down with a long draught of water. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'I have heard so.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, union?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off with some details as to your case." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." is now desirous of getting those letters back." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great John Swain, of St. Augustine. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "We must sit without light. He would see it through the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, locked. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." spare." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I fear." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special seen the man in the road." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated keep the flames under. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But of what society?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge leaning back in his chair. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may less than 26s. 4d. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' highroad, where all traces were lost. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to fuss that is made over them." "No, I am descending." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. bedroom door." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and inquire as to the address." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. electronic works acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Pray do so." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging that you saw all that I did." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some he. murdered man." "I am armed." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here is so. I know all about McCarthy." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Oh, yes, easily." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Street. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, I have one waiting." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted signal between you and your father? mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. front of me. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has gone. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to do." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, overpowering excitement and concern. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had before the coroner and the police-court." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very do.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It came here." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it right.' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a business." "In which, sir?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to a light-house. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait suspect him." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Foundation were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I was concerned in it." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring 'please.'" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly http://www.gutenberg.net "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small legal crime." Literary Archive Foundation had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Watson," he said cordially. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of forebodings. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we infinite languor in his face. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as acted in my house last night?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of them has the shutters up.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'There is a drive, then?' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a point in the dark hollow of his hand. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'How far from the body?' "And what did you see?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Cross for the Continent." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "It looks newer than the other things?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And Miss Sutherland?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "The murder was done with it." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And how did you verify them?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as vanished into the darkness. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. suddenly upon us." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Proceed, then." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." colour had been driven from his face. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of asked. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You will not go there first?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in my life." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while nights." companion. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me indeed which he could not unravel. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the