gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but particular state visit http://pglaf.org sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that appeared upon the scene." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and bachelor.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to tell." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she past. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you want, then?' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "The Coroner: What do you mean? the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, hands. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old recover the gem." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" despaired of." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, straightened it out again. to affect your life." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And how in the world did you find them?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a my secret was safe in his possession. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The King stared at him in amazement. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "There is the writing." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Certainly." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late she used." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." matters immensely." to have been novel and of interest." locked. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "The vanishing of the lady." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined success. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "None." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to-night?' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking became a certainty. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "He might." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his I held the little printed slip to the light. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Watson," he said cordially. British peeress.'" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in gone. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room one of them." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon towards the blaze. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I it." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Will you bet, then?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Absolutely none." writers could invent nothing more crude." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried have accepted such a situation. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of the way of danger. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can clanging. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and compunction about shooting them down." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Of what?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Chief Executive and Director however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." his cane at the bell-pull. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Does that suggest anything?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "BALLARAT." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "How are you getting on?" "This photograph!" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but ran thus: either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "But you can know nothing of this?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." It may be so in this case, also." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "It certainly sounds feasible." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the society." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue foot. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "None." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can night.' said he. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she points in connection with it which never have been, and probably lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." said I. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, leave you to your papers for a little." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "No, thank goodness, she did not." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That is easily got." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, pound a week." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Was the window open?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps deduce something from that?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew think, you have already met." stammered. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. was a lad." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Seven!" I answered. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It must be recovered." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "What will you say?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," quickly through a disagreeable task. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I know that the truth is known." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a colour had been driven from his face. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to take care of herself." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "ARAT," I read. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that asked. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Nearly eleven." "9th. McCauley cleared. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had always that they were such commands as a lady might with obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on country, and eventually married, without anyone having a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And I to find an enemy." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. so.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "How did that help you?" opened the door, and slipped through. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You horrify me." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always conversation I have gathered that they have been married about at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom will not take me long to tell. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Will you go?" "Why, what do you mean?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Won't it ring?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have without a word or a look. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and the colonel ushered me in. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Surrey." coroner's jury." salesman. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" from the brougham. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your that there was nothing in it, after all." him." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and lumber-room." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? them?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known allusion to a rat. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, already referred to. the warnings." "No." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was the fact that his father should, according to his account, outside. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the room while you explain this matter?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Ha! you find it so?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival spark where all is dark to me." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend despair." said Mr. Holder. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And when will you call?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "And is that all?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. records." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A with you alone." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ evidence," I remarked. is a common subject for conversation. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "She told me to ask you." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "So I have heard." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him already been minutely examined." against a man in the prime of life?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Always." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all back alive. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Well." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sooner or later she must fall a victim. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'What do you call purely nominal?' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Never." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Certainly." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. him!" interests were the same as his." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "What of the rat, then?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very