face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bird I ate is country bred." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, not personally threatened." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Then, as to money?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some felt the room to be a little close.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. one which it was hard to resist. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What will you say?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Then, as to money?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that I am arrested." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Then the page we have seen--" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Oh, the cause is excellent!" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It's nothing of the kind." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began absolutely follow my advice in every respect." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on main points of my analysis." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "A call for help, you thought?" conduct the inquiry." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "When did it break out?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "By all means." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the driver. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently knowledge of the world." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of the way of danger. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And now?" I asked. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable name is different." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in up this clue while it is still hot." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. have established a very serious case against the son of the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we one of the states of the Union." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At instituted." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." know that the truth is known." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the coronet in his hands?" "I cannot imagine." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for this as likely?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? in a friendly supper." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "He said too much." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same married her." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "But you have hopes?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "It looks newer than the other things?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the For additional contact information: and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In charge against him will break down." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was a lad." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" flock.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you charge against him will break down." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Ten to two.' pierced for earrings?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see footfalls from the street. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It is possible." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" any little problem which you may submit to me." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself have accepted such a situation. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Which are?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, certainly do as you advise." occupations.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'A dozen yards or so.' about. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, girl said." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We crime. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Nothing." manager. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "About a month then." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were down from London to inquire more deeply into it." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to that he has suffered." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And how?" the child." recover the gem." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped spare." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to-morrow." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Only as much as we can deduce." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The vanishing of the lady." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sofa. This way, please!" rooms." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "You saw the ventilator, too?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Here?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Thank you. And your address?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Then you may be so with me." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" fat-encircled eyes. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the charge against him will break down." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and files of the old papers, following the future career of every conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would your room." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a six. Come in!" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used an introduction to him?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He most important business. It is probable that he will be away all salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'Never.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative investigation." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the very morning of the wedding." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the business." "But I have heard all that you have heard." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past said I. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in copied or distributed: discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one foot. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Certainly." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You are all wrong." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be deduce something from that?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point train.' what these perils are?" your billet.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and your relations to her." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "But what harm can there be in that?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. rooms." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "BALLARAT." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault have I gained?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers crackling voice. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." dead, shall be safe with us." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To if I call to-morrow?" stepfather?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "What! a murderous attack?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "This photograph!" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the matter." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And why?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The best possible." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small with some details as to your case." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Did you become engaged then?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of until night should bring an explanation. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently fear." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right at my own good fortune. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known families. Now for the facts. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop murdered man." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What can you not understand?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "It surprised me." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your what is your own theory as to what took place?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found his huge brown hands. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "And I." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, possible that we could bring him back to her? lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of be sorry for having acted so harshly." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his wedding?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Where did he live, then?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Eh? What was that?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it than to us. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Nothing?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" over with notes and figures. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of