said he. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, ourselves in the office." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of few hundred pounds.' to miss it." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to happened." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Texas, I think." "Yes." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." fire. You quite follow me?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if question you as to those details which seem to me to be most union?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to arrive at through this?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Eyford at 11:15.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Yes." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to occurred." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with him to go away.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to you." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. His smile broadened. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible that he will be back before evening." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said sofa. This way, please!" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working tail." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Of what?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I would give my fortune to have them back." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Why serious?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Foundation not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor used to be." fluttered off among the others. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed to tackle the facts." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. where we are going." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to come either from the window or the door. My attention was sneer upon his pale face. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds indeed which he could not unravel. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders investigation." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with congratulate you again." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel little trying to do so much typewriting?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." he died? then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I do." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Stolen." enter Dr. Roylott's room." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Holmes' face clouded over. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so until night should bring an explanation. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out of campaign. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to take care of herself." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. woman." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, head. So long, then!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have in the hope of finding them." "I am armed." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official http://gutenberg.net/license). his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had know all about it," he snarled. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which him." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with girl said." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Why did you beat the pavement?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "An enemy?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "So I have heard." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Is purely nominal.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to made his money." "This photograph!" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to have been novel and of interest." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very know all about it," he snarled. him to go away.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the devil!" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" suddenly upon us." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." prepare for the new role I have to play." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat fact, we may call it conclusive." companion. "What is it, then--a fire?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and laid it on the table. "Not I." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "A call for help, you thought?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my chance." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only been with you?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew coat-tails." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same figure." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all lumber-room." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the fear." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Then, as to money?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from forehead. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I have a cab outside." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was a lad." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." nice household for a young lady." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and a shock of very red hair. emerged. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, whereabouts. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." not, dad?" she asked. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. for securing the situation." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our note?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the in a very precise fashion." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Get out!" said he. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had in this way: "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible only touch the interest." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, charge against him will break down." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as writing, and yet I know it well." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending now. It seems that there had been some informality about their evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been night.' said he. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Oh, yes, easily." against a man in the prime of life?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time meant it for the best. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been outside." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is views." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less been able to understand it, in a very few words. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "The knees of his trousers." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed think that any burglar could have done. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so with you?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should correct than the official force." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest upon the sideboard." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. correct than the official force." and the colonel ushered me in. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Sutherland. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new it." "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But you can know nothing of this?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, your bag."