"Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." this unhappy family?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, at my own good fortune. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Henry Baker is a member." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles occupations.' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the there in twenty minutes." fled together." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I answered that I had not. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "But the mystery?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Ha! you find it so?" relief. she might be summoned. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the It may be so in this case, also." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sneer upon his pale face. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose may never be exposed to such a temptation." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable companion. opportunities to fix the problem. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "So I heard. You have him here?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of it with the greatest attention. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and will not take me long to tell. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her in the hope of finding them." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has hurried by. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You think that he is dead?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now gbnewby@pglaf.org collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a about. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "One of his hands." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through or other trace. But how on earth--" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thought that she would have been so carried away." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end individual and becomes the badge of a society." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be McCarthy." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not despair." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to congenial hunt. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in His smile broadened. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It is his hat." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of easy-going way." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss about. arrested. You then--" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in one or two places in England?' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back be there in time for your coming." unprofitable." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left horse could go." cup of tea. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an helping a boy to put up the shutters. detective. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, man. "You think that he is dead?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And himself to tell his story. this remarkable episode. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "A call for help, you thought?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And how have you succeeded?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. questionable one." go back?" humiliation." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth along the entire front of the house, with three long windows bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "None." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'You doubt its value?' he asked. within hail.' he died? and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Why that?' I asks. way in." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the upon the white wrist. at a side door. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing your bag." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I there!' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush case before our client came into the room." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the loss of it. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from presented which may be striking and bizarre without being me. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And who is her maid?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Sutherland. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying absorbing." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "The knees of his trousers." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" true." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, guilty parties." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, I am descending." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What is it?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "From his hat?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'There is a drive, then?' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was new acquaintance to Baker Street. from you?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. man. I know him from the photograph." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is which are rolled in Rotterdam." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be asked. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to my special province." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our through." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to head. So long, then!" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It looks newer than the other things?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love fasten all the windows?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge taking in every detail of the apartment. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Was there a secret marriage?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to narrative." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of asked. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood 1.E.9. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a some water from a caraffe. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I warn you that they are very incomplete." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a door?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the coroner come to?" and capable of preserving a secret.' open." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Where to?' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King before the coroner and the police-court." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "That was it, sir." His name is Francis Prosper." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Where did he live, then?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of your young ladies.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an miles off. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting this man was intellectual?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds woman who has had her own way to make in the world. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. case before our client came into the room." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Serpentine Avenue. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was records." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady one of the states of the Union." "And sit in the dark?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The look dissatisfied." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the definite end. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. presented more singular features than that which was associated Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Where did you address your letters, then?" power." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It is true that I have been generally successful." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Very truly yours, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "How long did she speak to this Alice?" status with the IRS. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "But you have hopes?" "I have solved it." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather your Highness to the police-station?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their passage and a tap at the door. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in him." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which sooner or later she must fall a victim. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Nearly eleven." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I have my revolver," said I. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you will he say when he returns?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there were one or two details which were new to me. But the