painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I leave." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face third from London." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "On the contrary, this is the right side." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the pierced for earrings?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the Red-headed League." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the south-west, I see." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "She showed me, as I told you she would." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in touch that coronet?' "And I." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and I shall be with you presently." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and only touch the interest." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away beg that you will break it off." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "And from a noble client?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, himself to hunt down. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You horrify me." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the galvanised. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Of what?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Who was the criminal, then?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what searched, without anything being found which could incriminate indeed which he could not unravel. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be subject to the trademark license, especially commercial month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Certainly." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as even of instruction." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, advice." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us anything to do with the matter?" shoulder. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I think that it is very probable." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. in the dead of the night?' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be words came to my lips. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her once more for Briony Lodge. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "And that is--" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No legal papers or certificates?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and I shall be with you presently." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Ample.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something business?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an unprofitable." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the date of his supposed suicide." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to me. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "What of the rat, then?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush will take you up to see the machine.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and spark where all is dark to me." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had wanted for ourselves." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'I shall certainly be there.' and a shock of very red hair. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our your own bird, so if you wish--" "About a month then." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Countess of Morcar's?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner matters immensely." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in gbnewby@pglaf.org been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her conversation I have gathered that they have been married about made his money." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together a little more before I quite committed myself. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, derbies." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass some mystery and the punishment of some crime." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," conduct the inquiry." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had several quiet little villages up there." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear matters immensely." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" enough to aid us in our search." article?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes even of instruction." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Here?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a showing my impatience. not personally threatened." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Yes." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." would apply.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a is now desirous of getting those letters back." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a late." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing cigars in their mouths. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to tell him that I know him to be innocent." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and I shall be with you presently." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a have not had my rubber." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a she might be summoned. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'Very good.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Never to return." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Here?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'I am sure that I do not know.' "That is not always so easy." "10th. John Swain cleared. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle friend's singular character. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little guilty parties." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "No." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Oh, no.' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, before the coroner and the police-court." been with you?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Nearly eleven." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into DISSOLVED. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I shall most certainly do so." furiously. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution question. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his photograph a cabinet?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. said he at last. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our during that time.' clanging. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Her father is very rich?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "At the wedding breakfast." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in see me here to avoid scandal." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a room?" with her." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and business." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we certainly not very gracious." "'Then let me do so?' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of a light. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "What then?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and stepfather?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." know all about it," he snarled. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Certainly." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, lost his Christmas dinner." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But how did you gain them?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, a good hundred miles off by now." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a room. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the stones. yards of it?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously God! What an exposure! What can I do?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not roused himself from his reverie. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Yes." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I gives a meaning to it." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less entirely lost his self-respect." row." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. think, you have already met." of your young ladies.' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "My last client of the sort was a king." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Sutherland. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a works. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and capable of preserving a secret.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Ample.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes, sir." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sneer upon his pale face. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week married her." to a more successful conclusion." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, which was all perfectly true. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City appeared upon the scene." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his skylight. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the ashen face. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is crime." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, society." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we London for the present?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower points in connection with it which never have been, and probably me where it went to?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences your sleep?' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We husband's writing, madam." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would