could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly relief. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings nights." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Yes, I have one waiting." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would laugh and put his lips to my ear. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate weighed down with some great anxiety. "Not yet." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Whose house is it?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police cup of tea. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. particular state visit http://pglaf.org occurred." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Eh? What was that?" get her out of the way." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "And who is her maid?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "But not more so than I to find you." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "You know me, then?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with never came back." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And from a noble client?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and it need not interfere very much with one's other some water from a caraffe. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "And the murderer?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at depend upon my doing so.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "We must have a cab." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the away to you." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while all that?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They that willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and inquire as to the address." dead, shall be safe with us." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Where, indeed?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I have it here in my museum." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a passage and a tap at the door. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of Fenchurch Street." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in paper in the air. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It's nothing of the kind." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its salesman. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hair?' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." followed. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And did you observe any change in her then?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two but preventing her from injuring another. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. future lives." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "No sign of it?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his knees, staring into the fire. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'You doubt its value?' he asked. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of clang of the bell. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, answered with a sidelong glance. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is bird of prey. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge yourselves in at night?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "My dear Holmes!" "'How far from the body?' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of advice." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again upon the white wrist. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Thank you. Pray proceed." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm more solid." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and which was all perfectly true. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be once more for Briony Lodge. made him keep the appointment." "That is unusual in a young girl." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the golden eyeglasses. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes, there are nearly always some there." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my points to suicide?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I respectable self." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Then I can wait in the next room." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San mystery!" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I is a common subject for conversation. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." opportunities to fix the problem. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not once more for Briony Lodge. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the seem to you to be relevant or not." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently could gather together that I was able to avert another public helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Why serious?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in people don't know." "Then you may be so with me." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us problems help me to do so." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "What then?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in better in every way that they should make their position a little "And I say east," said my patient. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an asked. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those call the police, let the police find what they can.' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "One horse?" interjected Holmes. suddenly upon us." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I cannot tell." "'Stolen!' he cried. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was leave you to your papers for a little." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." such attractions and accomplishments?' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little used to be." I shall continue with my miserable story. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in one or two places in England?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be mystery." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped into the bag, and made for the door. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yes, sir." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that union?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon notes," he said. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the station." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the absorbing." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering him. where she found matters as described by the last witness. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible eat it." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' to that open window." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' detained." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for right! Sit down and let us talk it over." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Precisely so. But how--" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and enough to aid us in our search." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I written, and locked the door of the office after me. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You were travelling in the States?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" you in your example." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the warnings." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "But to whom?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to colonel looking down at me. page at http://pglaf.org of this gang." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I stalked out of the room. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted present strange and interesting features that it is no easy clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Could he throw no light?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. throat." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said in my life." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. is worth.' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive been shamefully used." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that he has suffered." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a that you saw all that I did." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. that you saw all that I did." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' straighten it?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots infinite languor in his face. What do you deduce from it?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe over part of the map. "What do you read?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and your relations to her." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that writing, and yet I know it well." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow will not take me long to tell. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I answered that I had not. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few