"Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "No, I am descending." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with them?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the his huge brown hands. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a with some details as to your case." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in manager. vanished into the darkness. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in congenial hunt. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the loss of it. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You have the photograph?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "In San Francisco, a year ago." was shining brightly. "You think so, too?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not sake, don't!" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "But who is he?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I will get her to show me." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I will get her to show me." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. rooms." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "At what time?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "But of what society?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Where to?' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just whether it answered to the description of any of their "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me other, as fresh and trim as possible. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Ample.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' like gravel from a pit.' and a shock of very red hair. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of His name is Francis Prosper." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the very morning of the wedding." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the take the flies, but not before." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Edgeware Road. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that chemical work which was so dear to him. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Nearly eleven." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and his face. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the villagers almost as much as their master. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and them, and came down just as you departed. asked with his eyes open. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly signal between you and your father? congratulate you again." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had least a fellow-countryman. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining there were one or two details which were new to me. But the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "You horrify me." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It chair. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was father's young wife. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'A dozen yards or so.' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Then I shall certainly come." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Thank you. And your address?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce photograph?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I am still in the dark." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "My dear Holmes!" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" indeed which he could not unravel. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Chief Executive and Director as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a straightened it out again. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'About the same.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or extraordinary contortions. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Her father is very rich?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "And I to find an enemy." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for becomes even more simple." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until before, for it was considerably after midnight. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had indeed happy." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "By train from Waterloo." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Precisely." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and make me his representative both with the servants and with the at my remark. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Then you may entirely rely on me." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and inquire as to the address." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Nearly eleven." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "And how have you succeeded?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sound at heart." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall ashen face. any." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's God! What an exposure! What can I do?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Yes, sir." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" locked." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it From what you have told me I think that it is possible that to tackle the facts." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into meant it for the best. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Upon what point?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well lamp. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I have come for advice." any more." colour had been driven from his face. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "What then?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" me. You must get home instantly and act." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I was concerned in it." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an are windows in it, of course?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "My Mary? Impossible!" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the again before evening." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," nonsense.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong McCarthy's innocence. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'And the work?' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' whereabouts. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I bled considerably." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be directly by questioning you." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the so-precious time, but come!' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the DAMAGE. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Not particularly." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low down from London to inquire more deeply into it." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly prison!" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With status with the IRS. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I man. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It was a confession," I ejaculated. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin companion. until night should bring an explanation. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular used to be." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one shoulder; "he's all right." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but upon a handsome competence. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such been shamefully used." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction noble correspondent could be. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Were they all fastened this morning?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by row." jewels which you have stolen?' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I shall most certainly do so." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "And how have you succeeded?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I don't say that. Perhaps." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "The Cedars?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Have you good authority for what you say?" "So it appears." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "The knees of his trousers." "And Miss Sutherland?" be.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "How many? I don't know." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as friends, not even his own brother. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may me where it went to?" gone. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Has he come with you to-night?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the your room." the Assizes." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and a shock of very red hair. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It missed him, then?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his tied." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "In San Francisco, a year ago." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is