which we had just quitted. as the one I chose?' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before returning from some small jollification and was making his way hereditary King of Bohemia." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I beg pardon." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is miles off. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Here?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my he died? developed." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and forehead. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich never came back." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out habit of advancing money.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has be.' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the indiscretion." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer his eyes and forehead. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I know where it is." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'In my own bureau.' "And it is--" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there quite distinctive." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded as this. Pray let me have the details." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, detective. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our even of instruction." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Dr. Becher's." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; hurried away. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Could he throw no light?" "An accident, I presume?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "No, I had a dozen." the bed, and you in that chair." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Yes, it would be as well." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I promise," said Holmes. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little details should find their way into the papers. Inspector returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is question you as to those details which seem to me to be most pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "No, I had a dozen." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it a room. of his shoulders. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I confronted him. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Oh, fresh and glossy." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "But who is he?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, gigantic client. "So I have heard." them?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "No legal papers or certificates?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the general public were present, then?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I here." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away father's place of business?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "That is not always so easy." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Stolen." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited forbidden door. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Where did you address your letters, then?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Upon what point?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault during which he might have communicated with his friend the the nursery. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the his knees, staring into the fire. chemical work which was so dear to him. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the date of his supposed suicide." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," remarked. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'About the same.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he said he. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Which dealer's?' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "But we can't all be." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I bearing upon the case." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Ten to two.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Mrs. Toller serenely. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in your only hope of safety." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that at once, for I have only half an hour." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "The murder was done with it." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your there was no need for father to know." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on chance." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, individual and becomes the badge of a society." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson door?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy waste of energy." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep coroner's jury." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which horse could go." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project all that?" indeed happy." mystery may be cleared along those lines." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." crackling voice. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "That is it on the dressing-table." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what again before evening." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But who is he?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may brought there to personate someone, and the real person is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" companion quietly. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you what is your own theory as to what took place?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable hour." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "In heaven's name, what for?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I was sure that I might rely on you." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Proceed, then." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Ten will be early enough." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Then the page we have seen--" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a villagers almost as much as their master. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to for securing the situation." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It is his hat." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods License. You must require such a user to return or cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes. He waved his hands." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'In my own bureau.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this II. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what You want to know what became of those geese?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for call for it in person on Monday morning.' a suggestive one." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said said he. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to tell." excitement. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I will do it." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Yes, from Horsham." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the said I. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I guessed as much." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that too. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or be.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Absolutely?" "I am still in the dark." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as think you a quite exceptional woman." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over out." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be hurried by. "That is easily got." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other them?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, strength." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I constraint." any little problem which you may submit to me." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This call for it in person on Monday morning.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have pictures, libraries, or plate. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "And why?" events, Mr. Windibank!" sound at heart." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now there has been an enclosure here!" meant it for the best. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Come in!" said he. "'You cannot say what it was?' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in his hands." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of me." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my at my own good fortune. four million human beings all jostling each other within the papers on the sundial.'" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and not personally threatened." "'A dozen yards or so.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger