the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Chief Executive and Director "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then he might have called to you?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the loss of it. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to you." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' occurred." certainly not very gracious." his cane at the bell-pull. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have advice." answered with a sidelong glance. is a common subject for conversation. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your row." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had directors, with the result that you have seen." developed." "How do you know, then?" formed some opinion?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "In answer to an advertisement." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added a good hundred miles off by now." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "And how?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Never.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "We must have a cab." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? knowledge of the world." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By no means." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I approached. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The rest you will leave in our hands." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was if she died from some sudden fright." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "What, then?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. foot. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to take care of herself." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to off." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them power." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Not yet." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Never." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to quick march!" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is little trying to do so much typewriting?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Leadenhall Street--and--" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No?" and the whole place is in a blaze." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the better in every way that they should make their position a little questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to matters immensely." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Was she in good spirits?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." photograph?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining me what he had done with the three missing stones. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "He said that you could solve anything." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped clanging. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. strength of mind to control. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Is purely nominal.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that I may have something better before very many minutes are discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What have you to say now?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that threaten you." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to tackle the facts." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the child." that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining window when the police appeared." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And how in the world did you find them?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Again Holmes raved in the air. "I am armed." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" a very grave face. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted it." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "What can you not understand?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "To an end?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "My photograph." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped present." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the room while you explain this matter?" joking. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid looking up at the numbers of the houses." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the redistribution. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted thought that she would have been so carried away." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man certainly do as you advise." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By which I could not give. He asked for Alice. over part of the map. "What do you read?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who father's young wife. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a house for five minutes.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yesterday." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." at a side door. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Have you her photograph?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And Irene Adler?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. his wife has ceased to love him." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I should wish to." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his paper in the air. in this note: encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility mystery!" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, detective. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Stolen." "And how did he make his money?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Never." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he just called myself is not exactly my own." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and You want to know what became of those geese?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and that he would see to anything that turned up. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Never.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "He slept on the premises." "Precisely." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given second window is the one that I jumped from." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to-night?' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we breakfast." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Entirely." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "What have you to say now?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of he. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Munro.' again." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I have it here in my museum." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of highly," said Holmes. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself strong and stiff." "And what then?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remarked. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." would apply.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, not come at once?" he. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my chair. him, that man would not have given me such complete information society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her vanished into the darkness. away to you." indiscretion." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "But he might be a bachelor." there in twenty minutes." "I should wish to." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was ago." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right jewels which you have stolen?' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in be.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It is possible." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It throat." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'A dozen yards or so.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing details." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I am sure." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the one as in the other." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It was an hour's good drive." "Who was the criminal, then?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say you understand?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have established a very serious case against the son of the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over