success. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the dangers which encompass me." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lids now and glanced across at his visitor. not, dad?" she asked. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he them?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." train.' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' done what I asked you, Jones?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the room while you explain this matter?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise child?' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two persecution?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour ourselves in the office." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I answered that I had not. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "And the cigar-holder?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are closely." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Doctor, of the paper and the date." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy is worth.' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "His face fell immediately. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did on in his house." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close became a certainty. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security it. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'Entirely.' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked door?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential speckled band?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Oh, no.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who swore that no one else had been in the front room during the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'You cannot say what it was?' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I think that it is very probable." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly not interfere, come what may. You understand?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I know where it is." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" whether it answered to the description of any of their you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "But what is it you wish?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'About the same.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "The Coroner: What do you mean? to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Chief Executive and Director that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I am armed." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Dark enough and sinister enough." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Certainly." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Again Holmes raved in the air. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "If I can be of use." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without lids now and glanced across at his visitor. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the companion quietly. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed brain must have something in it." with you?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that, and I came down." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." gives a meaning to it." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. child?' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer indeed which he could not unravel. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is golden eyeglasses. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the direction." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Nothing." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hands. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I see no marks." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "What do you make of that, Watson?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of British peeress.'" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. house for five minutes.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and the whole place is in a blaze." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Which dealer's?' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of his shoulders. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge relief. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return place of silver." see a sister of mine apply for." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Upon what point?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by second window is the one that I jumped from." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is take the flies, but not before." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be all-comprehensive glances. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. do.' key turn in the lock." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Foundation quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. persecution?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Where did you address your letters, then?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No, finished." o'clock is it?" these bleak autumnal evenings." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. only touch the interest." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Stoke Moran?" said he. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "It came here." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes, they were peculiar boots." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking James Windibank. Voilà tout!" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? one else, I think." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide which our visitor detailed to us. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can murdered man." had this final quarrel? fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Why, what do you mean?" McCarthy's innocence. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and narrative." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, examine." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Only as much as we can deduce." narrative." McCarthy's innocence. important." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Pray do so." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." desk. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "That is easily got." the ceiling. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the know what is wrong with it.' "Come in!" said Holmes. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have are windows in it, of course?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't villagers almost as much as their master. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And the murderer?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Perfectly so." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face is four-and-twenty." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's have established a very serious case against the son of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Thank you. And your address?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my gentleman's clothes. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Just look it up, then." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main without a word or a look. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of Mr. Rucastle's." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other you." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the imbecility!" he cried. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. interests were the same as his." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have fluttered off among the others. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa behind me. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One him!" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I article?" floor. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That matter." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "That you are never beaten." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us security.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds promised to bring home. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and laid it on the table. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of breakfast?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and them?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "But to whom?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in his face. "None." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Here?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Not yet." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of brain must have something in it." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It is his hat." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. mystery!" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I nodded again. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To relief. was used.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of about here speaks of his kindness to him." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so For additional contact information: out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign