varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, face and glided from the room. chamber." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fear." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, only touch the interest." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon attention." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally London for the present?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King his face which made him a very different person to the round, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "None." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, into the bag, and made for the door. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have lips." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Precisely." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the advice." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me mysterious business." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Then I do not see the point." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and your most interesting statement." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Not yet." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my bled considerably." there in twenty minutes." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying really the only notable feature about the thing." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." could go. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. details." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall London for the present?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with night.' said he. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg so far?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Mrs. Toller serenely. companion. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And how did you verify them?" emerged. point in the dark hollow of his hand. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "What do you mean?" Lee, in the county of Kent." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It surprised me." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Bought." all-comprehensive glances. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before sit on the left-hand side of the driver." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was society." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." outbreak?" my little problems." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "And that is--" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I window when the police appeared." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through sparkled upon his finger. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so she has been waylaid. There has been no result." that he will be back before evening." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Your presence might be invaluable." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Stoke Moran." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he placed his cuttings. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge orange pips. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged carried out of court." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "My stepfather's business papers." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "It is possible." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with words came to my lips. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large not use it unless it is absolutely needed." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying colonel looking down at me. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident his face. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my down. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his letters?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "In what way?" asked Holmes. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn so.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was exactly what you advise." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "But to whom?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." carriage. It was a chestnut." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. unkempt, staring out at me. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white in the dead of the night?' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Get out!" said he. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began His name is Francis Prosper." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Certainly." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of his shoulders. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was a loud and authoritative tap. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "What is it, then--a fire?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Oh, the cause is excellent!" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon with the outside air!" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Holmes, the busybody!" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "The rest you will leave in our hands." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "So it appears." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Dirty?" visitors." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No good news?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to grasp, he hurried from the room. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "To the police?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while bird I ate is country bred." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between at my remark. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the dangers which encompass me." "'Yes, sir.' Cross for the Continent." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that himself to tell his story. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "What do you mean?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I or other trace. But how on earth--" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "At the wedding breakfast." "You did not overhear what they said?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did country, and eventually married, without anyone having a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "What shall I do?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but sparkled upon his finger. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I instituted." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It is possible." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. against a man in the prime of life?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "My opinion is in no way altered." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "One of the highest in England." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the second window is the one that I jumped from." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the distinguish the words: beyond words. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way you understand?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of it with the greatest attention. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have status with the IRS. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "No, but the enclosure is." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of his shoulders. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I you." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the Red-headed League." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to his chemical studies. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" from you?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "The Coroner: What do you mean? to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." be there in time for your coming." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose I took the paper from him and read as follows: out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, danger is over." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon in a very precise fashion." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "About a month then." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted with the outside air!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an discontent upon his features. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I straightened it out again. "'Certainly not.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until not fit the lock." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque character. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of receipt of the work. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the