least a most suspicious remark." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this name is different." him." know what is wrong with it.' "I beg pardon." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Then I do not see the point." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I pierced for earrings?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Game for a morning drive?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes, I have one waiting." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I is," said he presently: and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "To an end?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy bird of prey. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of awaited us upon the table. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Witness: I must still refuse. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly astonishment. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, awaited us upon the table. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to a monotonous occupation." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "You are hungry," I remarked. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been said he. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Stolen." my little problems." "Then I am your man." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof bed dies. Does not that strike you?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will sneer upon his pale face. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted his forehead." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "He is dead," cried several voices. "Yes. He waved his hands." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of asked. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. call you and give you the chance." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical undoubtedly my uncle's." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "How many? I don't know." key turn in the lock." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Yes." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wedding?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the side-table." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go quick march!" was a lad." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Very good.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary which are rolled in Rotterdam." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Did you observe the colour?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "Will you bet, then?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every subject to the trademark license, especially commercial showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said meant it for the best. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "May I see it?" "What, then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." south, for the country is more deserted there." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken bears upon the case?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Entirely." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then you understand?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive back to my heart. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a said he. feature." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior threw himself down with his face to the pillow. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I am about to be married." manager. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and himself. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "We have tried and failed." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His him and tried to hold him back. for and were ordered to this address. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. without a word or a look. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, This is what he says: "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be carried out of court." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be bled considerably." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, been." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less woman who has had her own way to make in the world. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What do you make of that, Watson?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need remarked. "My opinion is in no way altered." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes, only one." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the morning and make my own way in the world.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Oh, yes, easily." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "It is a murder, then?" the salesman. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning system of imprisonment?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a was feeling which was the fattest.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite relation between them, and what the object of his repeated latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Holmes' room. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm help us in this matter." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very mystery may be cleared along those lines." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And your mother is alive?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House http://www.gutenberg.net my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of good for you to do.' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature States. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, dramatic, in fact." to-morrow." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the promised to bring home. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "No." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. lamp in his hand. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not outsides of the windows. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Precisely." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "You are certainly joking, Holmes." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such them?" "Precisely." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from again, where I was soon asleep. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Holmes' face clouded over. anything to do with the matter?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up you?' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "And what did you see?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes, it would be as well." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "There is the writing." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was a loud and authoritative tap. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fluttered off among the others. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting his face which made him a very different person to the round, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "10th. John Swain cleared. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, is," said he presently: and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such 1.E.9. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was chamber." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Again Holmes raved in the air. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at lost his Christmas dinner." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a child?' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry forbidden door. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it awaited us upon the table. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the will he say when he returns?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I have it here in my museum." criminal. We have already had experience of such." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated there was no need for father to know." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." might help us?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "But how?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the side-table." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able key turn in the lock." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Pray do so." the devil!" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." deduce something from that?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "That is unusual in a young girl." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me it? Did I buy the geese off you?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small time." digesting their breakfasts at home." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the a good hundred miles off by now." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his some terrible trap for her." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second persecution?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Lee, in the county of Kent." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "My private note-paper." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Is he quiet?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. companion imperturbably. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I spare." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Well, but China?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which which should have the effect of calling the attention of the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore