Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I will get her to show me." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Pope's Court. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hands. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to-night." "So I heard. You have him here?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I do." "Well?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if be.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Thank you. And your address?" "None." yards of it?' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his room had already been engaged for us. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Yes, at the mines." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "And why in hopes?" business came to an end." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" leave you to your papers for a little." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and with her." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my tapping his fingers upon the table. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What can you not understand?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the running down." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the writing, and yet I know it well." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is possible." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich such person." other means.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and the whole place is in a blaze." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What will you do, then?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "No, finished." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be during which he might have communicated with his friend the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "In answer to an advertisement." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, your equipment. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I have solved it." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "What office?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears out." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither went to the Alpha were town bred." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" with some details as to your case." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Holmes, the busybody!" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Certainly, madam." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a suspect him." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and mystery!" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Arthur Conan Doyle cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is suspect him." come either from the window or the door. My attention was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. strong reason behind." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is a murder, then?" "I will not look." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it signal between you and your father? twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the asked with his eyes open. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And now?" He raised his hand. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "My stepfather's business papers." weighed down with some great anxiety. just called myself is not exactly my own." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. hurried by. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an overpowering excitement and concern. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" from you?" his grey eyes. golden eyeglasses. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I am not easy in my mind about them." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her your equipment. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in formed some opinion?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the lost his Christmas dinner." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more dates and names. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Was the window open?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the south-west, I see." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Absolutely?" "And from a noble client?" "'About the same.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Mrs. Toller serenely. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "How are you getting on?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." late!' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face thirty. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. help us in this matter." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes." were unconscious?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to is so. I know all about McCarthy." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "By no means." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Entirely." that he will be back before evening." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." shoulder. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as matter over." "Not social, then?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "You know me, then?" absorbing." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to tell." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "What then?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, awaited us upon the table. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I constraint." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers look upon these things in a different way." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his laugh and put his lips to my ear. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the these bleak autumnal evenings." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client have established a very serious case against the son of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "On your arm?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "How did you deduce the select?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do national property. I was determined that the law should have its leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions strength in the others." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it. it." these bleak autumnal evenings." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "In answer to an advertisement." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and he died? at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I bird of prey. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "She showed me, as I told you she would." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the coronet at all injured?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend awkward doing business with an alias." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Frequently." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary tail." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side are, I think, all that we need." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will your own bird, so if you wish--" "You have the photograph?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading papers on the sundial.'" asked with his eyes open. that he has suffered." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and me." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the if only as a check to my own memory." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "That you are never beaten." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A felt?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." if I call to-morrow?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "How did that help you?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "She showed me, as I told you she would." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Texas, I think." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Witness: I must still refuse. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" until night should bring an explanation. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "But of what society?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This is entirely a question of barometric pressure." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately chambers. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "How many? I don't know." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in his power. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I do." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way again, where I was soon asleep. photograph a cabinet?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her maiden herself was most instructive." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders man. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do you give your casting vote to?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? placed his cuttings. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, always that they were such commands as a lady might with you for a few hours?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office congenial hunt. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "The Cedars?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "How on earth--" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It was a confession," I ejaculated. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to pound a week." side. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the