"Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "A call for help, you thought?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. this poor creature." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a appeal." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Why that?' I asks. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign astonishment. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late what these perils are?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Witness: Nothing definite. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your instituted." "But you can know nothing of this?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Absolutely?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of suspect him." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER you do it in twenty minutes!' may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in assist you in forming an opinion." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Has he come with you to-night?" status with the IRS. was lame." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which disappearance of these gems?" "How are you getting on?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about views." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we good for you to do.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he is acting for the best. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of them has the shutters up.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hands. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a This is what he says: shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down British peeress.'" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those with some details as to your case." trifles." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "But she could not love him." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and your equipment. "Stolen, then." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" bears upon the case?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I was mad--insane." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Upon what point?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from so.' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year were new raised from a basin. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had envelope. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I say that I have solved it." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis made his money." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she knowledge of the world." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "How did he come?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Why serious?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had once more to my work. to surprise her." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the way of danger. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I October 9, 1890. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from little adventures." "The knees of his trousers." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable might have a private word with us. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Then let me do so?' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing danger is over." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a upon the shelf for the interim." not personally threatened." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Yes." sound at heart." thirty. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one vault. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." guilty one." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Is purely nominal.' cigars in the box." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter think that he is innocent?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no if I call to-morrow?" depend upon your compliance." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of second window is the one that I jumped from." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I a monotonous occupation." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the gone before you can get him to hospital." upon the sideboard." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "How can you tell that?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as call for it in person on Monday morning.' one else, I think." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and or in danger--" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place cost them two and thirty pounds." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then use an arc-and-compass breastpin." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems through." of your young ladies.' away into the river." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which our visitor detailed to us. constraint." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst too. "What will you do, then?" walking." look upon these things in a different way." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project congratulate you again." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strength in the others." "And you don't know his address?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step girl said." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her your most interesting statement." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "And is that all?" His name is Francis Prosper." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all lectures into a series of tales." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the warnings." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fear." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in villagers almost as much as their master. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his cane at the bell-pull. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sparkled upon his finger. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and made him keep the appointment." Foundation Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint strong and stiff." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "But how did you gain them?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Just look it up, then." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I leave." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were get the tickets." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Holmes, the busybody!" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among highly," said Holmes. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Perhaps I have." opened the door, and slipped through. joking. lectures into a series of tales." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "In answer to an advertisement." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having assist you in forming an opinion." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a coroner's jury." "Of what day?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. tell them apart.' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Deserted you?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Did you observe the colour?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he until night should bring an explanation. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the bed, and you in that chair." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "How did that help you?" http://gutenberg.net/license). the coronet in his hands?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "So I heard. You have him here?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I never have." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Witness: Nothing definite. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come his eyes and forehead. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a footfalls from the street. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, 'please.'" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in long narrative. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and me where it went to?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced written, and locked the door of the office after me. Watson," he said cordially. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I approached. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my begun to whiten, even as mine has." and capable of preserving a secret.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Where, then, is my wife?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door said I. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "A call for help, you thought?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand pressing in one house as in another. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at walking." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It is possible." you understand?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate is," said he presently: and effective." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter strong and stiff." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Holmes rather sternly. knowledge of the world." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "No sign of it?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we