client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right was it brought him the coronet? by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do upon an income of about 60 pounds." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend brain must have something in it." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in know that the truth is known." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered it means?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. is now desirous of getting those letters back." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Yes, sir.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Gutenberg-tm License. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE outside. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in kindly on the shoulder. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and I shall be with you presently." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only chamber." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of throat." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat dramatic, in fact." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "You have but to name it." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Has he come with you to-night?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." as he remarks, very much against the son." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored drawing your inferences." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "And sit in the dark?" "Really! You surprise me." Serpentine Avenue. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "So it appears." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'No, I know no one in these parts.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face bell. Holmes whistled. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Not in a good cause." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and shall probably return to London by the evening train." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "But who is he?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Is he quiet?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to way in everything. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to photograph?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have been able to understand it, in a very few words. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Did you become engaged then?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between instincts rose up against that laugh. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to had picked up in the wood. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's could gather together that I was able to avert another public "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "And how have you succeeded?" "No, I had a dozen." face and glided from the room. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of only touch the interest." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining ourselves in the office." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the tragedy. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thought that she would have been so carried away." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from lids now and glanced across at his visitor. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a awkward doing business with an alias." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, not fit the lock." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "In heaven's name, what for?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad lumber-room." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you again before evening." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Your presence might be invaluable." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Quite so." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "What do you mean?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so only touch the interest." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Then I can wait in the next room." occupations.' only touch the interest." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I cannot tell." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two in a friendly supper." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of into the bag, and made for the door. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with true." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I fear not." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of hopeless attempt at recovering them." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of whereabouts. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Yes, sir.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Entirely." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Is purely nominal.' footfalls from the street. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "We must sit without light. He would see it through the begun to whiten, even as mine has." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight III. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and fire. You quite follow me?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." you, my dear young lady?' telegram would bring me down to your help." business?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that gives a meaning to it." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "And how did you find out?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she there is a decided draught." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the meant." locked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of there!' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Then, how do you know?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I am still in the dark." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Mrs. Toller serenely. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I think that it is very probable." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of me." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But for and were ordered to this address. "Then, as to money?" "No, finished." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "The King of Scandinavia." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. becomes even more simple." fattened it expressly for you.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "An enemy?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in intrusion of other matters." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Where to?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, at the mines." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "How often?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon companion quietly. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I am still in the dark." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I cannot imagine." had formerly been in part my own. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark meanly of me." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I will do it." interested in these little problems, and since you are good Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "But she could not love him." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he money should be paid at once.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few paper in the air. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double chill to my heart. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was happened." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to imbecility!" he cried. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the window, rose as we entered. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this recall any case within my experience which looked at the first