Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my asked. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Stolen." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door some city in a dream. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up there were one or two details which were new to me. But the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the general public were present, then?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of mystery!" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp sake, don't!" "'Most admirably.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. true." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do lips." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off frequently gained my first real insight into the character of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret wedding?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand comes from the middle window." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." John Swain, of St. Augustine. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell will be renamed. Chief Executive and Director she used." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and most interesting one." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Ah, but I was recommended to you." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California chair. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a third from London." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our recall any case within my experience which looked at the first that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You have but to name it." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much closing the door. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we directly by questioning you." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was once more to my work. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." did not hear it also.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of guilty one." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness plantation.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by situation." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" there has been an enclosure here!" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the salesman. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. despaired of." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird weapon." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this with you alone." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What?" whereabouts. we went to search for him, face downward in a little as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At bird of prey. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and it need not interfere very much with one's other and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune business in the City. She little knew what. undoubtedly my uncle's." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning that you wished to speak to me?' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to his chemical studies. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's putting in the horse. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried other, as fresh and trim as possible. call it cruel." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I should wish to." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, tightly behind him. "Yes." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during there!' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from go--none." charged with?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead do.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair it." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that you can jump it.' true." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'Stolen!' he cried. to Leatherhead. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to shoulder; "he's all right." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Witness: Nothing definite. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And you don't know his address?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Entirely." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a light and attacked it." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, would apply.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." indiscretion." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have I gained?" I am not easy in my mind about them." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to woman." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Why serious?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "My Mary? Impossible!" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "A greater distance to travel." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "And Irene Adler?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, in the port of London." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I am all attention, madam." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is happened." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I was sure that I might rely on you." them?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to surprise her." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Ten to two.' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Yes, I promise.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "How did you deduce the select?" asked. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to client, rising. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he this remarkable episode. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the roots. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And I to find an enemy." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "It looks newer than the other things?" of Fenchurch Street." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I strong and stiff." help us in this matter." pound a week." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Thank you. And your address?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" digesting their breakfasts at home." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The handed it to him. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in past. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled infinite languor in his face. than to us. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And that is--" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran rat could hardly pass through." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shadow pass over his face as I spoke. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'Stolen!' he cried. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax locked. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband this Miss Turner." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no she used." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I am still in the dark." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything http://www.gutenberg.net His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "And why in hopes?" been." direction." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. must compliment you." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the running down." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "And that is--" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "But I am all in the dark." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Precisely so. But how--" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and indeed happy." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to-morrow." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body forehead. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the so-precious time, but come!' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands security.' "It must be recovered." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner neither fascinating nor artistic." that you saw all that I did." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned father's place of business?" out of this horrible affair." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. wedding?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. despair." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Married! When?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare him, that man would not have given me such complete information newspaper selections." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have meanly of me." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and take the flies, but not before." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband seen the man in the road." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of the way of danger. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "What! You do not mean bodies?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What are they?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It certainly sounds feasible." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to what is your own theory as to what took place?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You might have a private word with us. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known