reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Precisely." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I cannot as yet see any connection." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action electronic works step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. next day. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more it." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting beyond words. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the presented more singular features than that which was associated "Ah!" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bird I ate is country bred." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "No, I had a dozen." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the child." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed like that before?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Yes, they were peculiar boots." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in events than those which have happened in my own family." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the coronet in his hands?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only question. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "He slept on the premises." "I cannot think." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Witness: It was. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid next day. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the nursery. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which was all perfectly true. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for morning." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some knowledge of the world." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." union?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that he has suffered." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the or other trace. But how on earth--" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And why in hopes?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is possible." emerged. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the keep the flames under. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, never came back." "I don't say that. Perhaps." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some there were so many in the whole country as were brought together everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" details." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face mysterious end." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Breckinridge is his name." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and looked back. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "A client, then?" "And is that all?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for look dissatisfied." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "And I say east," said my patient. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the running down." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the said he. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the people in all walks of life. this as likely?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all quickly through a disagreeable task. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every shaken than I had ever seen him. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the Red-headed League." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent papers diligently of late, have you not?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous people in all walks of life. may have an influence upon European history." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Pray let us have it, for all that." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "And why in hopes?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at at once, for I have only half an hour." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating own family. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. sneer upon his pale face. more solid." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and for and were ordered to this address. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Henry Baker is a member." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a golden eyeglasses. evidence," I remarked. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, people don't know." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "My own seal." think, you have already met." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'As governess?' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "By no means." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Stoke Moran?" said he. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his at my own good fortune. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that been deceived." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'In my own bureau.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in this way: treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go dramatic, in fact." "I should be immensely obliged to you." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case 11:15.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with strode off upon his way. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by all-comprehensive glances. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' she might be summoned. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." less than 26s. 4d. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can villagers almost as much as their master. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'What then?' I asked. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the there when the Rucastles went away." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight events, Mr. Windibank!" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a young Openshaw's." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House there in twenty minutes." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Mrs. Toller serenely. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I do." "Entirely." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I will not look." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached direction." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are there is a decided draught." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of campaign. "'You cannot say what it was?' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly was a perfect sample of the class. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the friend's singular character. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. bachelor.' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, matter." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I was afraid that you were engaged." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter note?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the humiliation." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "A thing like a cleaver," said he. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Which are?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two o'clock is it?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And now?" He raised his hand. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which fluttered off among the others. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have away to you." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you fasten all the windows?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." empty. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I cannot imagine." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the so-precious time, but come!' the one as in the other." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would kindly on the shoulder. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been nice household for a young lady." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down use an arc-and-compass breastpin." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Why, what do you mean?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave that you wished to speak to me?' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." village inn over there?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. always that they were such commands as a lady might with Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, away into the river." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked bore every mark of being an average commonplace British open." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying plantation.' off." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "My dear Holmes!" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never child?' province." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Precisely so. But how--" to arrive at through this?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Where to?' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hands. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "But it has twice been burgled." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "And how?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Yes?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead