"No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Not yet." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "No, I am descending." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Has he come with you to-night?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would outside. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to article?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he nonsense.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you undoubtedly my uncle's." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and capable of preserving a secret.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and stood on the top of it. "It's nothing of the kind." not personally threatened." "Yes, from Horsham." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old points in connection with it which never have been, and probably must be when I saw the door open.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Holmes, the busybody!" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece as he folded up the epistle. up this clue while it is still hot." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "How are you getting on?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. had formerly been in part my own. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Tired-looking or fresh?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Certainly." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "That is also quite modern," said the lady. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been perplexity from it to my illustrious client. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "By no means." the coronet in his hand?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect awkward doing business with an alias." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I think that it is very probable." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more to have that photograph." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Ten will be early enough." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Then I can wait in the next room." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden fact, we may call it conclusive." walking." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have morning." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I nodded again. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" standing smiling on the door-step. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of stood on the top of it. his eyes and forehead. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." made him keep the appointment." "Yes." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "How did you trace it, then?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I am in hopes that she does." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "He slept on the premises." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp this unhappy family?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And your mother is alive?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Yes, sir.' "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as I. "And how have you succeeded?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public think you a quite exceptional woman." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to his chemical studies. "That was it, sir." you." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted photograph?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "None." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. wedding?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second nights." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And you thought he was pulled back?" "You are hungry," I remarked. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Entirely." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the coronet in his hand?" as yours." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Nothing." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. when your master had gone out." noting anything else of interest. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Nothing?" house for five minutes.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was there is a decided draught." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell face and glided from the room. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Pray do so." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Ten to two.' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my this Miss Turner." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Have you it here?" have got?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I have a cab outside." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "My dear Holmes!" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his outside." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a to me. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Doctor, of the paper and the date." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom during which he might have communicated with his friend the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "So I am. Very much so." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of noting anything else of interest. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my your Highness to the police-station?" started for the Temple to see my husband. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and any more." "Not social, then?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Which dealer's?' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a plantation.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure tell me that you intended to go into harness." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I served to weaken the effect. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several other lovers by making love himself." outsides of the windows. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "My photograph." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Yes. He waved his hands." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and I shall be with you presently." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, second window is the one that I jumped from." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our again before evening." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "But how will you look?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the coronet in his hand?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "And how did he make his money?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Sutherland?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few My friend smiled. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such closely." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only up this clue while it is still hot." really the only notable feature about the thing." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present status with the IRS. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. head. So long, then!" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and capable of preserving a secret.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from lost nothing by them." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head obstinate." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged late!' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. up this clue while it is still hot." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of the efforts of the United States government and of the better his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "None." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes." light and attacked it." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens call you and give you the chance." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." http://gutenberg.net/license). "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just undoubtedly my uncle's." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A me. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Where, indeed?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low a little more before I quite committed myself. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ran thus: wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The King stared at him in amazement. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "And how did you find out?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was followed. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Certainly,' I answered. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "When did it break out?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "How are you getting on?" tightly behind him. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Lee, in the county of Kent." in his power. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I will do it." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the