"You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "What, then?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Project Gutenberg-tm works. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Not social, then?" into the room. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the photograph?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Certainly not. But why?' other means.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he questioning and rather startled gaze. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want you came in." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural affection." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been when your master had gone out." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I late." "Witness: Nothing definite. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is," said he presently: Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I shall be delighted." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" again on its way. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the warnings." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You have not had my rubber." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "The knees of his trousers." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the roots. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk ventilator." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical strong and stiff." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Did you become engaged then?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hour?' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes, sir." is worth.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And how did he make his money?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." as noiselessly as she had come. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of you?' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the drawing your inferences." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he this Miss Turner." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who chambers. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "From his hat?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I will not look." sparkled upon his finger. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had works. See paragraph 1.E below. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "And you don't know his address?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what meanly of me." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Game for a morning drive?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I should wish to." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Countess of Morcar's?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Doctor, of the paper and the date." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I cannot imagine." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "At the wedding breakfast." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Street. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in or other trace. But how on earth--" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Yes, sir.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but as the one I chose?' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a room. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I say it is." "None." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. pound a week." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of McCarthy's innocence. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and upon the white wrist. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: begun to whiten, even as mine has." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant do you make of it all?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently It may be so in this case, also." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian them?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. signal between you and your father? and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And is that all?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I am still in the dark." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were article?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." to you." "Won't it ring?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "It is very clear." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." existence." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Holmes rather sternly. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "No, I am descending." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "A greater distance to travel." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered this remarkable episode. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Certainly, madam." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And did you observe any change in her then?" ago." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; examine." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your lamp. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man go--none." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I have it here in my museum." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was certainly not very gracious." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "It is possible." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor had this final quarrel? black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I fear not." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the derbies." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. assist you in forming an opinion." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the eavesdroppers?' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally golden eyeglasses. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might lamp. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the instincts rose up against that laugh. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a made him keep the appointment." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Pope's Court. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have dates and names. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, I have one waiting." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the tragedy. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until business at Coburg Square is serious." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under thirty. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he memory. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No bad?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and effective." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And sit in the dark?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the date of his supposed suicide." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in tail." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, present." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question coroner's jury." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "But his lameness?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the nursery. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "His face fell immediately. the driver. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all anything to do with the matter?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two 1.F. trying to your nerves." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "The King of Scandinavia." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was not a bird to be seen there. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "This concluded the examination of the witness." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and effective." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. deduce something from that?" "I see no marks." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the voice. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no breakfast?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a fat-encircled eyes. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the carpenter." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of thin legs towards the fire. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "My own seal." you want, then?' "And I say east," said my patient. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come most interesting one." is so. I know all about McCarthy." at my remark. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And from a noble client?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Countess of Morcar's?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." father's place of business?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." wedding?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to obstinate." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat are, and they are waiting for us." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black little trying to do so much typewriting?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little dear old homesteads?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a