the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Why? What do you mean?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'How far from the body?' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sofa. This way, please!" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very which are rolled in Rotterdam." up this clue while it is still hot." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to be. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Miss Holder?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock hard-headed British jury." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the warnings." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Well." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Never." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided or in danger--" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe attention." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "That also I could fathom." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured south, for the country is more deserted there." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the comes from the middle window." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of the way of danger. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I assure you that I am in your hands." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and constraint." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm matter." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his populous neighbourhood." when you have done it." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up next day. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Whose house is it?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of in a very precise fashion." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite was the fact that his father should, according to his account, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the coronet at all injured?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. as he remarks, very much against the son." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and it need not interfere very much with one's other "She walked into the breakfast-room." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. nothing of it?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Thank you. Pray proceed." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There said he at last. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at hand, madam?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Texas, I think." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I beg pardon." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and McCarthy's innocence. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his cane at the bell-pull. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different for its centre. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so gone before you can get him to hospital." mystery may be cleared along those lines." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the iron safe, which he closed upon it. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Texas, I think." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Pope's Court. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded corner of the building. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What! a murderous attack?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your man. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess things are very often connected not with the larger but with the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Oh, no.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, be sorry for having acted so harshly." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking but preventing her from injuring another. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Do you know him?" in this note: strode off upon his way. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master one of the states of the Union." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What I expected to see." "Then he might have called to you?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical not within a twentieth part of the market price." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay conduct the inquiry." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover thin legs towards the fire. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I standing smiling on the door-step. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Henry Baker is a member." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "None." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'And what salary do you ask?' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon for its centre. come either from the window or the door. My attention was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the window, rose as we entered. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was becomes even more simple." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the beyond words. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to anything to do with the matter?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "By train from Waterloo." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help learned something! Where are the gems?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a meant it for the best. "Upon what point?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "10th. John Swain cleared. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I know where it is." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Serpentine Avenue. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a eavesdroppers?' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in you want, then?' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would me upon any point which I do not make clear." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's British peeress.'" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Nothing?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all astonishment. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, his face which made him a very different person to the round, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers third from London." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off strong reason behind." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional late." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "And what did you learn from him?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there your only hope of safety." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but memory. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Where could I find him?' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the so-precious time, but come!' was shining brightly. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there mystery." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "On Monday." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever chance at all." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and problems help me to do so." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I shall be delighted." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to works. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." bearing upon the case." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I say that I have solved it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what You want to know what became of those geese?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a your most interesting statement." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas never will be, entirely cleared up. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect soul! here is her carriage at the door." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Then you may be so with me." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the during that time.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great be there in time for your coming." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Never." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" comes from the middle window." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' death." strength of mind to control. were wasted." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when was shining brightly. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "And you thought he was pulled back?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at be sorry for having acted so harshly." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken washing it down with a long draught of water. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in washing it down with a long draught of water. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in my life." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I nodded again. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Then I am your man." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I guessed as much." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking know what is wrong with it.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, details." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the within hail.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then I do not see the point." "My dear Holmes!" "'Ten to two.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "None." I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and looked back. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which