at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "What, then?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same look upon these things in a different way." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "No good news?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the rat could hardly pass through." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of I took the paper from him and read as follows: note?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. drawing your inferences." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that opportunities to fix the problem. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "You have the photograph?" the very morning of the wedding." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I whole matter to your consideration." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." later, upon the night of May 2nd." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Do you go out much in society?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely friends, not even his own brother. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the murdered man." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Yes." breakfast." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I am armed." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door never will be, entirely cleared up. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'I am sure if I had known--' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Because he was handy and would come cheap." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Very murderous indeed." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I don't believe it." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and it need not interfere very much with one's other "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I shall be delighted." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria me upon any point which I do not make clear." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But who is he?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," be. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." her also." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending lost nothing by them." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the driver. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning he bowed and left the room without another word. stammered. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "How do you know, then?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming records." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and glanced through. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by use an arc-and-compass breastpin." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him awaited us upon the table. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Why serious?" you want, then?' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "To the police?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. London for the present?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a monotonous occupation." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and gone before you can get him to hospital." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." of the one which your family is now devouring." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Why, what do you mean?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And for present expenses?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Just look it up, then." "Pray let us have it, for all that." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign he died? "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the something of him before." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Certainly, madam." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had that I am arrested." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and tension within him. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them how narrow had been my escape. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became enter into my head. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And how did you verify them?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very house for five minutes.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last noise which awoke you from your sleep?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself money should be paid at once.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Where did he live, then?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in one of the states of the Union." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "We must have a cab." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your congenial hunt. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Arthur Conan Doyle girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was third from London." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little like gravel from a pit.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to his chemical studies. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand reach." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, speckled band?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I this poor creature." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Dr. Becher's." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "What!" he roared. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to-night's adventure." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'What do you call purely nominal?' was it brought him the coronet? whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. became a certainty. http://www.gutenberg.net when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I have it here in my museum." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the Red-headed League." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Lee, in the county of Kent." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "In what way?" asked Holmes. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the very letters. But what is this written above them?' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would daring than any effort of the imagination." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Bought." "'Ten to two.' Mary, has deserted me." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. other means.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the newspaper selections." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on maid will bring up your coffee." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I used to be." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to http://www.gutenberg.net suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get already referred to. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "One of his hands." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to narrative." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that weary and pale-looking. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Where to?' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots asked. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their During two years I have had three consultations and one small the coronet in his hand?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter happened." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his were unconscious?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of the way of danger. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I could gather together that I was able to avert another public it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You were travelling in the States?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, about. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Yes, but only for you and me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "No, I had a dozen." "And sit in the dark?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 upon the white wrist. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What do you make of that, Watson?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Was he the only applicant?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered attention." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss