"'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I think that it is very probable." promised to bring home. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'And what salary do you ask?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to records." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small wedding?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." ago." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg like gravel from a pit.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom upon an income of about 60 pounds." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Can I be of assistance?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," writing, and yet I know it well." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must business." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom as he remarks, very much against the son." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Literary Archive Foundation grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "The decline of his fortunes, then?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked signal between you and your father? way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just works. See paragraph 1.E below. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took morning." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the him!" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest acted in my house last night?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Come in!" said Holmes. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I cannot imagine." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, your own bird, so if you wish--" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send tell them apart.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "And why?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "No, my brougham is waiting." Stoke Moran." within hail.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Deserted you?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was bonnet, and went out." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" stalked out of the room. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been families. Now for the facts. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning spare." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with strong and stiff." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. it right.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each weighed down with some great anxiety. ago." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the side-table." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You were travelling in the States?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "And from a noble client?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And your mother is alive?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with visitors." "And why in hopes?" shaken than I had ever seen him. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "ARAT," I read. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes my special province." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "None." questionable one." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked think that any burglar could have done. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Yes, it was twisted." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "What, then?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms if only as a check to my own memory." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with call you and give you the chance." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What office?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the inner apartment." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. province." "No, thank goodness, she did not." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was on re-entering her father's house?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Was there a secret marriage?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time weary and pale-looking. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Where is it, then?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes, at the mines." Dr. Gregory B. Newby without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. leaning back in his chair. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of this as likely?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as astonishment. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the window, rose as we entered. "'Yes, sir.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you give your casting vote to?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It came here." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with lost nothing by them." I am not easy in my mind about them." peculiar to him. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he in his hands." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from goes." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and a shock of very red hair. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Yes." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of bill, which interests me deeply." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some place no limit on the sum I may draw." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "So I am. Very much so." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I assure you that I am in your hands." lost his Christmas dinner." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I cannot think." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And how did he make his money?" "On Monday." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such matters immensely." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Cross for the Continent." already referred to. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You think that he is dead?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong must compliment you." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "How on earth--" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very there were one or two details which were new to me. But the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you wall." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside any more." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "And the murderer?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw I took the paper from him and read as follows: to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the room while you explain this matter?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it papers." I was concerned in it." "Frequently." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself she to prove their authenticity?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "There is the writing." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "When did she vanish, then?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that pierced for earrings?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which as the one I chose?' "Yes." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad spark where all is dark to me." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "The knees of his trousers." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was your troubles." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the house for five minutes.' detective. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." strength." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "But you can know nothing of this?" your sleep?' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey question," said Holmes, smiling. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." cigar and let me expound." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. call it cruel." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the fait accompli?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment strength of mind to control. shoulder. and all of them with the keenest interest. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of he died? "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before round with crates and massive boxes. more terrible than the truth. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were sake, don't!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a direction." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the inquest, and which are worth considering." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the charge against him will break down." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the writers could invent nothing more crude." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Ample." "Well, it is a possible supposition." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And the cigar-holder?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Then I do not see the point." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rat could hardly pass through." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent