your most interesting statement." is worth.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time woman who has had her own way to make in the world. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place bearing upon the case." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes for the market.' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "What is it, then--a fire?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his my former friend and companion. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the intrusion of other matters." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Pool. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet imbecility!" he cried. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Here?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is hurried away. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Dark enough and sinister enough." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I have come for advice." "And you thought he was pulled back?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do DAMAGE. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "The gentleman I describe." eat it." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, you?' "Did your wife hear all this?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her kind enough to tell me what I should do." "But it has twice been burgled." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather telegram would bring me down to your help." "But we can't all be." figure." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the stones. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of less than 26s. 4d. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It was an hour's good drive." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful present." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of it right.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, sir." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a few minutes he said that it would be all right. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to know all about it," he snarled. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "But his left-handedness." should be so warm over such a trifle." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his sound at heart." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, everything which you would wish to know." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and where we are going." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "My opinion is in no way altered." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the coronet in his hand?" "You will not go there first?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "That is not always so easy." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "And why?" a monotonous occupation." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be on re-entering her father's house?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was union?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Never.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Certainly." the devil!" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so quickly through a disagreeable task. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I will not look." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of IS of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "You have it, sir, just as it happened." my little problems." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "May I see it?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your your billet.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty most important business. It is probable that he will be away all has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss she used." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the leaning back in his chair. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I should wish to." "Very. But will he see it?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and fat-encircled eyes. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." occupations.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs papers." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a away into the river." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting south, for the country is more deserted there." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Where, then?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shaken than I had ever seen him. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of this gang." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Very much so." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Stolen." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "One?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." unclasping of his long thin hands. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Never." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "ARAT," I read. "You have a clue?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ashen face. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. any more." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Never." was not a bird to be seen there. wall." chambers. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office happened." "My opinion is in no way altered." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the child." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It must be recovered." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "He might." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "That also I could fathom." License. You must require such a user to return or laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than is now desirous of getting those letters back." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully were wasted." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." locked. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'And what are they worth?' I asked. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Where is it, then?" and your relations to her." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Have you her photograph?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "How can you tell that?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite arrested. You then--" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "No?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent call it cruel." all-comprehensive glances. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. himself to tell his story. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "No legal papers or certificates?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'It is locked up,' I answered. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Perfectly so." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Did he not advertise?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert What do you deduce from it?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I will do it." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "But to whom?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "But how?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I assure you that I am in your hands." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Dark enough and sinister enough." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "About a month then." "And how did you find out?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to talk it over. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 are windows in it, of course?" awaited us upon the table. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "What, then, did Peterson do?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And I say east," said my patient. "He said that you could solve anything." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the bed, and you in that chair." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "But his left-handedness." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a she to prove their authenticity?" "No." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in this note: any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will His smile broadened. dead, shall be safe with us." with you?" was not a bird to be seen there. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to woven round him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "We were both in the photograph." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it you found me to-night--and running through the front room she utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the coroner come to?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned there." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this companion imperturbably. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to talk it over. not personally threatened." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "What is it, then--a fire?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wife's character?" "That you are never beaten." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we