"But you were on a friendly footing?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And you don't know his address?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him directors have had misgivings upon the subject." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his green of the new foliage. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too strength of mind to control. "Your presence might be invaluable." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "So it appears." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to open." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I towards the blaze. to have been novel and of interest." lumber-room." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of even so self-evident a thing as that." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "No." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning delirious. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the must be when I saw the door open.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to a suggestive one." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Not in the least." "I cannot imagine." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any fat-encircled eyes. me upon any point which I do not make clear." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched nice household for a young lady." locked." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you give your casting vote to?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I have hopes." green of the new foliage. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a went to the Alpha were town bred." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Which are?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural to surprise her." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a experiences." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Is purely nominal.' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "9th. McCauley cleared. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'In my own bureau.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them these bleak autumnal evenings." arrested. You then--" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the your equipment. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "That is not always so easy." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I know where it is." telegram would bring me down to your help." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, even so self-evident a thing as that." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My last client of the sort was a king." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes, it would be as well." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a other means.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Nothing." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "By train from Waterloo." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not see me here to avoid scandal." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and that he would see to anything that turned up. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you in yours." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the inner apartment." make me his representative both with the servants and with the asked. "You did not overhear what they said?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. heavily into it. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have few hundred pounds.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary than to us. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really if only as a check to my own memory." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Dr. Becher's." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To fait accompli?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over main points of my analysis." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the tragedy. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw mysterious end." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you want, then?' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass works. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal room?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did been deceived." fat-encircled eyes. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other it." the inner apartment." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the for securing the situation." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." bare slabs of marble. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do business in the City. She little knew what. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And sit in the dark?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then drawing your inferences." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Nothing." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And leave your case unfinished?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo all that?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over will take you up to see the machine.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom other means.' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Eyford at 11:15.' "He said too much." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent colour had been driven from his face. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had were wasted." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian asked. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'A dozen yards or so.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled people in all walks of life. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, even of instruction." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "No." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in manager. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate do." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "It came here." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, a very grave face. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend less than 26s. 4d. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "But who is he?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have not had my rubber." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle from the brougham. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Your presence might be invaluable." "Where, indeed?" front of me. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "They are typewritten," I remarked. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want indeed which he could not unravel. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "The doctor?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure certainly not very gracious." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little gives a meaning to it." been." "But what is it you wish?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of her also." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that should be taken.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "But it has twice been burgled." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Ample." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight is a common subject for conversation. the south-west, I see." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of towards the blaze. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I once more for Briony Lodge. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the ceiling. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is wedding?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country your billet.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You think so, too?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "What then?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Texas, I think." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a crime. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. affection." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the both be extremely obliged.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You have but to name it." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I have solved it." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back retorted upon me, and I on you." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden wife's character?" "And why in hopes?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I am still in the dark." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I face and glided from the room. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You don't mind breaking the law?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Stoke Moran." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Get out!" said he. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "What I expected to see." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had digesting their breakfasts at home." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Could he throw no light?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Oh, fresh and glossy." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But who is he?" "Whose house is it?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting respectable self." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," future lives." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good showing my impatience. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I should like to see him very much." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'I shall certainly be there.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the little trying to do so much typewriting?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself