I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and inquire as to the address." "But how?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and noble correspondent could be. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well my little problems." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over down. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" The King stared at him in amazement. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even standing smiling on the door-step. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There neither fascinating nor artistic." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "You were travelling in the States?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" confronted him. not within a twentieth part of the market price." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him it." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I could not have written that. It is the German who is so the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." answered with a sidelong glance. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and will he say when he returns?" other lovers by making love himself." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and think you a quite exceptional woman." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No sign of it?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of a light. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. other, as fresh and trim as possible. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I am armed." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I see many objections to any such theory." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His horse could go." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had picked up in the wood. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "None." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right legal crime." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and case before our client came into the room." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very four million human beings all jostling each other within the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Yes, sir.' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Was he the only applicant?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the morning and make my own way in the world.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "And how?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the awaited us upon the table. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Stoke Moran?" said he. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small business in the City. She little knew what. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "But what harm can there be in that?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back was not a bird to be seen there. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of galvanised. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Perhaps we may make them less so." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and true." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a were new raised from a basin. "That also I could fathom." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to man. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "What steps will you take?" I asked. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "And what then?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "What then?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton several quiet little villages up there." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic lost nothing by them." peculiar to him. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "To the police?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his nonsense.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is situation." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that you saw all that I did." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess light and attacked it." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual up this clue while it is still hot." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me row." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the introspective fashion. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a I shall communicate with you." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It depend upon my doing so.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a know that the truth is known." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old next day. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "But how did you gain them?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and your relations to her." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to nights." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any tension within him. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot residence of the great financier. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in writing, and yet I know it well." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to his chemical studies. "Yes." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not indeed which he could not unravel. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and have this put in the evening papers." upon the shelf for the interim." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it families. Now for the facts. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "How often?" discontent upon his features. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure here and I will read it to you: Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Ample.' stepfather?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should time." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "And what did you learn from him?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" was feeling which was the fattest.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Thank you. Pray proceed." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the vanished into the darkness. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your if only as a check to my own memory." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester despair." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. case before our client came into the room." "What can it mean?" I gasped. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to possible that we could bring him back to her? "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you do it in twenty minutes!' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the signal between you and your father? moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the stable lane now." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up future lives." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "And is that all?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland lost nothing by them." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "What are they?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." you do it in twenty minutes!' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, little adventures." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away populous neighbourhood." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, three of the beryls in it, was missing. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell papers diligently of late, have you not?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, it is a possible supposition." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural it means?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning troubles have been weighing upon his mind. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office he died? against a man in the prime of life?" "'Certainly not. But why?' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. orange pips. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at late." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'About the same.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot business matters.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who bed dies. Does not that strike you?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my this man was intellectual?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." wedding?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Come in!" said he. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "None." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "You don't mind breaking the law?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the lips." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest chance." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a man. I know him from the photograph." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty I nodded again. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not in him." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And how?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand closely." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he matter over." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and all of them with the keenest interest. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Then I am your man." "The doctor?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "What will you do, then?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'You cannot say what it was?' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Yes." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the bedroom door." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Entirely." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ IS shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on