comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Her father is very rich?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a discontent upon his features. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project useful material for showing traces. The double line a little turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from cigars in their mouths. out." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'As governess?' "And how?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest her also." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying head. So long, then!" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is man. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "A client, then?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been investigation." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get I shall communicate with you." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is any more." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." gbnewby@pglaf.org and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I came to find a friend." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Holmes. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or down. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, spark where all is dark to me." upon an income of about 60 pounds." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "What will you do, then?" it were putty." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains be. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As extraordinary contortions. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "My opinion is in no way altered." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms this truth that in these little records of our cases which you in this way: handed it to him. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the fuss that is made over them." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Certainly, madam." Countess of Morcar's?" "How are you getting on?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps some terrible trap for her." "I would give my fortune to have them back." call for it in person on Monday morning.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done deduce something from that?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What then?" "Only as much as we can deduce." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Then I am your man." "What do you make of that, Watson?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. third from London." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "It is true that I have been generally successful." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it know that the truth is known." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" said I. sooner or later she must fall a victim. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote recover the gem." looking up at the numbers of the houses." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear ventilator." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover papers." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." when your master had gone out." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual call it cruel." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the ceiling. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "So I am. Very much so." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." locked." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "ARAT," I read. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Yes, from Horsham." "Then I do not see the point." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was been able to understand it, in a very few words. with her." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and wait." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And now?" He raised his hand. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or woman." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Witness: It was. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss points to suicide?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That sounds a little paradoxical." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, against a man in the prime of life?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and capable of preserving a secret.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'I have already given you my word.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in himself to hunt down. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. straightened it out again. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of noble correspondent could be. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But how did you gain them?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Not I." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and the church but not where the lady lived." "Will you bet, then?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. this as likely?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It came here." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And how did he make his money?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and laid it on the table. think that he is innocent?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You are all wrong." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'And the work?' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from conclusions. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "He is still with you, I presume?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. correct than the official force." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know confronted him. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should relief. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and upon the white wrist. strong and stiff." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes, he did." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the coronet in his hands?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bed dies. Does not that strike you?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. closing the door. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You did not overhear what they said?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand business at Coburg Square is serious." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of campaign. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "From his hat?" closing the door. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "They are typewritten," I remarked. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the stalked out of the room. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I should like to see him very much." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I see many objections to any such theory." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the me. You must get home instantly and act." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich shoulder. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only exactly what you advise." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been From what you have told me I think that it is possible that lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fluttered off among the others. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had foresight and the moral retrogression?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'There is a drive, then?' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless but preventing her from injuring another. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for so.' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could locked. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Ample." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Do you go out much in society?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It came here." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Imitated." "And the cigar-holder?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter get her out of the way." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do gbnewby@pglaf.org felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'There is a drive, then?' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. kindly on the shoulder. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I States. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of spark where all is dark to me." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Doctor, of the paper and the date." back alive. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But how?" "I am to be neutral?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I have a cab outside." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "It is possible." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls my secret was safe in his possession. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's his fortune, and I went back to pa. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." will take you up to see the machine.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was a lad." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to outsides of the windows. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and