come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "The vanishing of the lady." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I me upon any point which I do not make clear." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional present strange and interesting features that it is no easy but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a least a most suspicious remark." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. narrative." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Watson," he said cordially. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Of what?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'And the work?' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. key of the affair now." unprofitable." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen stammered. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Sutherland?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other round with crates and massive boxes. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "By no means." any." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Have you good authority for what you say?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few burst into a hearty fit of laughter. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. success. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Absolutely none." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "He is dead," cried several voices. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And sit in the dark?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to fuss that is made over them." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? green of the new foliage. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Yes.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Why? What do you mean?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Well, but China?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Entirely." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with tell me that you intended to go into harness." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and this remarkable episode. some water from a caraffe. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I think it very unlikely." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "What do you mean?" brandy and water within his reach. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Very murderous indeed." wedding?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same gone. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he whether it answered to the description of any of their "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the night.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, better grown goose." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Nothing?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the voice. "Where, indeed?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. husband's writing, madam." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Precisely so. But how--" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Watson," he said cordially. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "It is very kind of you." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had case-book, which he consulted. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I into the bag, and made for the door. sparkled upon his finger. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "That's no good." overpowering excitement and concern. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The decline of his fortunes, then?" hour?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I cannot imagine." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" voice, changing her seat as requested. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What, then?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who most interesting one." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was closely." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish outside." ourselves in the office." tail." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Certainly." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the coronet in his hands?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Ten to two.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. in a friendly supper." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert you." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the invisible to me," I remarked. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and it need not interfere very much with one's other but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a room?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which we had just quitted. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until assist you in forming an opinion." through." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be new duties?' the coronet in his hands?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Thank you. Pray proceed." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." easy-going way." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of the vacancies.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the train.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to talk it over. him." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." whereabouts. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we will find little credit to be gained out of this case." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it my former friend and companion. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, business came to an end." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and notes," he said. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some room had already been engaged for us. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I am following you closely," I answered. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "That sounds a little paradoxical." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, think that any burglar could have done. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg in darkness. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear James Windibank. Voilà tout!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "By no means." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." congenial hunt. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very thin legs towards the fire. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But your client--" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "What are they?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of notes," he said. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so never will be, entirely cleared up. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of Mr. Rucastle's." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to fuss that is made over them." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "That is it on the dressing-table." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor http://gutenberg.net/license). severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The Coroner: What do you mean? which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" few hundred pounds.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are weigh very heavily upon my conscience." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest than to us. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when your room." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over compunction about shooting them down." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own waste of energy." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I never have." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by simple cases which are so extremely difficult." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and wait." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "But what will you do?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Witness: Nothing definite. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an evidence," I remarked. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises shall not find me ungrateful." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The events in question occurred in the early days of my man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope into the room. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I fear not." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa points in connection with it which never have been, and probably toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I don't believe it." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Very much so." bell. Holmes whistled. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more next day. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it followed. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, yes, easily." fatally injured? both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began went to the Alpha were town bred." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position