photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'You cannot say what it was?' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Gutenberg-tm License. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the one else, I think." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "But you were on a friendly footing?" developed." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, knowledge of the world." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." your equipment. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right standing smiling on the door-step. "A confidential servant?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "No, I am descending." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Tired-looking or fresh?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You have carte blanche." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must compunction about shooting them down." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Stoke Moran." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He occurred." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "And why?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fishes. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business would apply.' "I cannot say that I have." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my room." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "How are you getting on?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and south, for the country is more deserted there." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You horrify me." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wanted for ourselves." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "So I have heard." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had official police." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Well." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what is now desirous of getting those letters back." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Leadenhall Street--and--" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "She showed me, as I told you she would." furiously. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in go back?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an crime. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he himself to hunt down. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than pierced for earrings?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored think that any burglar could have done. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "How can you tell that?" "Perfectly so." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned acquaintance?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "So I have heard." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong experiences." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was which our visitor detailed to us. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "But she will refuse." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been too. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I seem to you to be relevant or not." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to you." "'What then?' I asked. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay lips." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "No." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But she could not love him." forebodings. "Dark enough and sinister enough." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Countess of Morcar's?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; plantation.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, opened the door, and slipped through. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And on what day did he meet his death?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You horrify me!" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Seven!" I answered. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had heavily into it. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "No, thank goodness, she did not." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Ten to two.' hand, madam?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heavy and sharp instrument." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "That is it on the dressing-table." handed it to him. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Is 4 pounds a week.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and your relations to her." "'Why that?' I asks. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "But you have hopes?" "Nothing?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'What do you call purely nominal?' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were since then to throw any light upon what became of him." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. open." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held begin with, and I had not got mine yet." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened congratulate you again." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the think that any burglar could have done. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'About the same.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And for present expenses?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the our word." one which it was hard to resist. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend asked with his eyes open. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Ha! you find it so?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It was." "Thank you. Pray proceed." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "To ruin me." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "You will not go there first?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Dirty?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Certainly." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the roots. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some presented which may be striking and bizarre without being corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and heavily into it. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one this poor creature." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And how?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then through." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds best detective that ever lived. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope affair. was already answered. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" said I. "Quite so." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of disappearance of the bride.'" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but investigation." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of goes." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "What, then?" this unhappy family?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ one of the states of the Union." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, pictures, libraries, or plate. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And you thought he was pulled back?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons me upon any point which I do not make clear." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried a little more before I quite committed myself. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "It is a murder, then?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Game for a morning drive?" Edgeware Road. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and as he folded up the epistle. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You have but to name it." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I with you alone." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "But of what society?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and all of them with the keenest interest. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been http://www.gutenberg.net the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to have that photograph." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "This photograph!" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he envelope. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I should wish to." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "But how will you look?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and narrative." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "No." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And you don't know his address?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he this unhappy family?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the there is a decided draught." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the address. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she