accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and that he would see to anything that turned up. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "When did she vanish, then?" entirely lost his self-respect." works. "'Certainly,' I answered. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." My friend smiled. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "10th. John Swain cleared. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to change my dress. ashen face. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Yes?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; shoulder; "he's all right." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I have a cab outside." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Really! You surprise me." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about window when the police appeared." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the heavy and sharp instrument." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and himself to tell his story. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them just ask you whether you had heard it.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and bonnet, and went out." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" outsides of the windows. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be so far?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But one of them." south, for the country is more deserted there." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold row." bird I ate is country bred." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an leave you to your papers for a little." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "How did you trace it, then?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the room while you explain this matter?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a someone who had been in Australia." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "What I expected to see." was shining brightly. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "And you don't know his address?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "And why?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" For additional contact information: "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little miles off. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Which are?" "Very much so." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after suspect him." hair?' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You forget that I know nothing about it." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the date of his supposed suicide." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I whether it answered to the description of any of their passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that go--none." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Married! When?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional my friend's incisive reasoning. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Foundation "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his whole matter to your consideration." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'How far from the body?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new read over the extraordinary announcement. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; one's self under obligations.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he The King stared at him in amazement. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made excitement. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more drawing your inferences." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do fatally injured? "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his grey eyes. were wasted." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which jewels which you have stolen?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally girl said." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us way in." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the fat-encircled eyes. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the purpose equally well?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Yes." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I what these perils are?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I cannot tell." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time his knees, staring into the fire. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that them?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, returned to France?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "How long did she speak to this Alice?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and shall probably return to London by the evening train." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and gigantic client. I was concerned in it." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "But what harm can there be in that?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you became a certainty. second window is the one that I jumped from." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence which it had come upon my father." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Yesterday." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I was sure that I might rely on you." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and success. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in ran thus: God! What an exposure! What can I do?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this some place of shelter and let the county police know what has an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "That sounds a little paradoxical." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and strength." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Ah!" Farm upon the left." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "And your father? Did you tell him?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during be there in time for your coming." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose father's young wife. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about remarked. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Miss Holder?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst noble correspondent could be. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Pray do so." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism highly," said Holmes. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long III. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the question. trifles." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what see me here to avoid scandal." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem confronted him. "So I am. Very much so." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "He is still with you, I presume?" "And how have you succeeded?" "By train from Waterloo." in a very precise fashion." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For detained." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "None." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Yes, it was gone.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as you found me to-night--and running through the front room she say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Perfectly so." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go get her out of the way." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a habit of advancing money.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he arrangements." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to started for the Temple to see my husband. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the answer." "Never." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations shoulder. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then cup of tea. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Were they all fastened this morning?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "My private note-paper." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a way in." overpowering excitement and concern. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me from the brougham. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I in the hope of finding them." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Very good.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I detective. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. gentleman's clothes. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor II. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they threw himself down with his face to the pillow. furiously. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all maid will bring up your coffee." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as But Holmes shook his head gravely. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into my special province." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery photograph?" to have been novel and of interest." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open perplexity from it to my illustrious client. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your