delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Two days later this same performance was gone through under conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Street. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which we had just quitted. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "No, but the enclosure is." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' girl said." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age him. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the matter." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Holmes' face clouded over. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "How many? I don't know." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case orange pips. husband's writing, madam." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious stepfather?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting some terrible trap for her." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "But his lameness?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Nothing?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried open." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "None." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "No, but the enclosure is." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel approach us with offers to donate. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Never." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive himself. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to change my dress. him to go away.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "My stepfather's business papers." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the nursery. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." which we had just quitted. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Is he quiet?" would then never go into court at all." such attractions and accomplishments?' "How often?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had coroner's jury." without a word or a look. electronic works have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was prisoner's face. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pressing in one house as in another. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "To an end?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What is it, then--a fire?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect my former friend and companion. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with there when the Rucastles went away." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Where did he live, then?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the coronet in his hands?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and generous with you in money matters.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'What would be the hours?' I asked. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send whereabouts. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he chair. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon eavesdroppers?' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable roused himself from his reverie. unprofitable." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to arrive at through this?" "Did your wife hear all this?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "What then?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked did not hear it also.' guilty one." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upon an income of about 60 pounds." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Absolutely?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the as the one I chose?' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "That also I could fathom." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue your room." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Bought." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was keenly on my guard against him. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." key of the affair now." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "How often?" appeared upon the scene." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private papers diligently of late, have you not?" "And Irene Adler?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. again." "It certainly sounds feasible." "How often?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "You have carte blanche." waste of energy." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into go from here to the Strand." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort swore that no one else had been in the front room during the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his married her." my friend's incisive reasoning. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" so.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bare slabs of marble. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that he will be back before evening." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Pray be precise as to details," said he. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a already referred to. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me visitors." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You have a clue?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "My stepfather's business papers." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to as yours." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You have carte blanche." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The King of Scandinavia." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "That's no good." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which round with crates and massive boxes. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was a perfect sample of the class. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Gutenberg-tm License. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the coronet at all injured?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt appointment with me for six o'clock?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "None. Neville wrote those words." "The King of Scandinavia." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own an introduction to him?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes, it would be as well." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "My private note-paper." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that, and I came down." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But of what society?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hands. is a common subject for conversation. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "That also I could fathom." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away yards of it?' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, you, my dear young lady?' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to surprise her." already been minutely examined." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, your most interesting statement." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said girl said." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Count Von Kramm." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "No?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "How many? I don't know." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" II. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Pray continue your narrative." should be so warm over such a trifle." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He have had none more fantastic than this." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of cause to be." McCarthy." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the he. you." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "No?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "But not more so than I to find you." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "He said that you could solve anything." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I McCarthy." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the you for a few hours?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I do." the night.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. I shall continue with my miserable story. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of these bleak autumnal evenings." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in hurried away. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I cannot as yet see any connection." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for upon a handsome competence. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "But your client--" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, awaited us upon the table. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got noble correspondent could be. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with less than 26s. 4d. with you alone." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography even so self-evident a thing as that." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few late." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in my special province." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than