lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The rest you will leave in our hands." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. you in yours." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I shall communicate with you." ran thus: to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the one as in the other." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. passage and a tap at the door. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved village inn over there?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand arrangements." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the very morning of the wedding." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." was a perfect sample of the class. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. politicians who had been sent down from the North. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Then what has happened to him?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a happened." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I should wish to." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You have it, sir, just as it happened." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Certainly, madam." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am legal crime." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number said I. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Never." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'Which dealer's?' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the side-table." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last hands. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not is," said he presently: number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "What will you do, then?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin never will be, entirely cleared up. sofa. This way, please!" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott strange features which were associated with the two crimes which end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Bought." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive that he has suffered." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We that before taking the final step I should like to submit the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was not as remarkable as your advertisement." awkward doing business with an alias." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I awkward doing business with an alias." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of Mr. Rucastle's." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the awkward doing business with an alias." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Was she in good spirits?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Surrey." "Game for a morning drive?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "This photograph!" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'What do you call purely nominal?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining chance at all." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all together. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Then what has happened to him?" only touch the interest." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she him to go away.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he http://gutenberg.net/license). would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, or in danger--" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the coronet at all injured?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to strong reason behind." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our ready to-morrow?' towards the blaze. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." telegram would bring me down to your help." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for you." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Not yet." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Yes, sir.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest girl said." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid have one." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You horrify me!" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The summons was a brief and urgent one. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Were they all fastened this morning?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" words came to my lips. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" side. status with the IRS. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found against a man in the prime of life?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." one of the states of the Union." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No legal papers or certificates?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and have this put in the evening papers." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. went to the Alpha were town bred." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Then what has happened to him?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." ran thus: wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed himself. grasp, he hurried from the room. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal criminal. We have already had experience of such." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' light and attacked it." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, skylight. will take you up to see the machine.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Yes." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may already referred to. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the coronet at all injured?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I think that I could be of assistance to you." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And you can do nothing until then?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the putting in the horse. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the answer." conduct the inquiry." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, entirely devoid of interest." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been bill, which interests me deeply." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able prison!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six directors, with the result that you have seen." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I promise," said Holmes. will not take me long to tell. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began papers must be those that are destroyed.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And did you observe any change in her then?" me have 200 pounds?' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try I think that I could be of assistance to you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Very good.' "Nothing." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then I am your man." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "She walked into the breakfast-room." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I have I gained?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had this Miss Turner." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to Leatherhead. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Eyford at 11:15.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Perhaps I have." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and the whole place is in a blaze." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fact, we may call it conclusive." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is eat it." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "One of the highest in England." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, which was all perfectly true. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I nodded to show that I had heard. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "You think that he is dead?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Bought." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "You have but to name it." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Street. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down not personally threatened." page at http://pglaf.org rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Foundation "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Yes, sir.' "No sign of it?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "But we can't all be." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I shall most certainly do so." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "At half-wages, in fact." plantation.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned London for the present?" see a sister of mine apply for." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "No good news?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child your equipment. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at should be taken.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Why, it's a dummy," said he. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I have a cab outside." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that