connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and meanly of me." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else things are very often connected not with the larger but with the room. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had an introduction to him?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Pope's Court. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Absolutely none." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the morning and make my own way in the world.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "To ruin me." "Yes, he did." "That sounds a little paradoxical." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I approached. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." views." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry never came back." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about invisible to me," I remarked. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the on re-entering her father's house?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Leadenhall Street--and--" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. assist you in forming an opinion." way in." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. excitement. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "How did you trace it, then?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "What is it, then--a fire?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to you." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "And why?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the man. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "No?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yes. He waved his hands." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "And how in the world did you find them?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the south-west, I see." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his gentleman's clothes. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear you." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it charged with?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, shoulder. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have wedding?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," national property. I was determined that the law should have its once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the matter?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to-night?' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but little trying to do so much typewriting?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pierced for earrings?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was success. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and she used." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You heard nothing yourself last night?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "It missed him, then?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes, I have one waiting." "By no means." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down some terrible trap for her." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of McCarthy." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as papers diligently of late, have you not?" in my life." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works occupations.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "His face fell immediately. "You have the photograph?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has directors, with the result that you have seen." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My last client of the sort was a king." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good works. See paragraph 1.E below. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I business." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge whatever might befall. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wall." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Most admirably.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid bell. Holmes whistled. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this his face. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "How do you know, then?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as said he. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You think so, too?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." companion. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with with you?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, enter into my head. "A client, then?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his made his money." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps annoyance, but no jest. weary and pale-looking. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set conduct the inquiry." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of Fenchurch Street." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to suspect him." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Won't it ring?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would society." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is four-and-twenty." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. door?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that, and I came down." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to giving me time to thank him. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. open." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five outsides of the windows. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been than to us. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Who by?" have not had my rubber." "It is very kind of you." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'You cannot say what it was?' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "If I can be of use." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight little trying to do so much typewriting?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the coronet in his hands?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Where to?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You know me, then?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and it need not interfere very much with one's other like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror your own bird, so if you wish--" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But you were on a friendly footing?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Dark enough and sinister enough." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the someone who had been in Australia." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Pope's Court. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and true." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I one's self under obligations.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only it." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That is not always so easy." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to that open window." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small chance at all." "And you thought he was pulled back?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I say it is." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Witness: It was. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "It is true that I have been generally successful." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the bed, and you in that chair." shaken than I had ever seen him. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide during the last few years, and there are many noble families to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a weapon." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom back to my heart. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were were wasted." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over with you?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Sutherland. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Can I be of assistance?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "How did you trace it, then?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Count Von Kramm." success. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It is very clear." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay