Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled mysterious end." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name side. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Which dealer's?' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. ourselves in the office." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The doctor?" of campaign. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as spark where all is dark to me." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Holmes' face clouded over. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I never have." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. own family. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the own family. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in darkness. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his a room. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I beg pardon." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and crime." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This business came to an end." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Henry Baker is a member." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in skylight. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You were travelling in the States?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of in darkness. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of there!' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, writer." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There since then to throw any light upon what became of him." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, some hundreds of times." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" question. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. your sleep?' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'Most admirably.' "'I have heard so.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as been anything against him. He had for years been known as a is so. I know all about McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "10th. John Swain cleared. ourselves in the office." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite sentimental considerations in the background which would induce had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland case-book, which he consulted. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Yes, at the mines." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which shall use the carriage to-night." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, in. the running down." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, that is the Crown." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs strong reason behind." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Stolen!' he cried. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And Miss Sutherland?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. possible that we could bring him back to her? what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. than to us. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman think that he is innocent?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." asked. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was dear old homesteads?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sufficient punishment." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I should like to see him very much." "Stolen." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Have you it here?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "What do you make of that, Watson?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain prepare for the new role I have to play." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. awaited us upon the table. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of your young ladies.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "He disappeared so suddenly." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hard-headed British jury." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and the colonel ushered me in. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "No, my brougham is waiting." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if is acting for the best. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left skylight. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "What office?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" present." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was read it out to me." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "But the mystery?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite name is different." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' crime. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of quick march!" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Ha! you find it so?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the roots. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a union?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a enter Dr. Roylott's room." behind me. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to seven miles from Eyford Station.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been get the tickets." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And how did he make his money?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I will do it." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There absolutely follow my advice in every respect." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat recover the gem." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "By no means." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Quite so." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "In answer to an advertisement." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The police have openly confessed that they can at present make cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and the colonel ushered me in. over part of the map. "What do you read?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' see a sister of mine apply for." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." answered with a sidelong glance. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "No, distinctly professional." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present From what you have told me I think that it is possible that called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I was sure that I might rely on you." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "May I see it?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael bed dies. Does not that strike you?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his vanished into the darkness. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. there is a decided draught." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, he did." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the bed, and you in that chair." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Stoke Moran?" said he. man. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." him to be an active member of the medical profession." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be gentleman's clothes. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a again before evening." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "When did it break out?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, you want, then?' "No, I think that I'll take it." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were your bag." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, situation." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Yes." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I think that it is very probable." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the Red-headed League." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dead, shall be safe with us." we went to search for him, face downward in a little vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "An enemy?" too. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the window, rose as we entered. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. brandy and water within his reach. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." at a side door. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, call the police, let the police find what they can.' "No." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Murdered?" in the port of London." the Assizes." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the was not a bird to be seen there. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." beg that you will break it off." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Indeed! Whose, then?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "That is it on the dressing-table." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Not I." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." as the one I chose?' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "An accident, I presume?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried