"Pray be precise as to details," said he. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Could he throw no light?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "That is unusual in a young girl." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Then he might have called to you?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the very morning of the wedding." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but bird of prey. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the one as in the other." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at interests were the same as his." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must front of the hall door has given its name to the place. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I came to find a friend." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Deserted you?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that disturbance in my wife." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "A call for help, you thought?" "I guessed as much." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Yes?" Surrey." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner point in the dark hollow of his hand. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Why, what do you mean?" a room. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking before, for it was considerably after midnight. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should mystery." cigar and let me expound." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to London for the present?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "You know me, then?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a handed it to him. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. you in your example." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A opened the door, and slipped through. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Seven!" I answered. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And what then?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between have got?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the coronet in his hand?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Thank you. And your address?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so been." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have not had my rubber." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her ran thus: "But how?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could heavily into it. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that he will be back before evening." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then had picked up in the wood. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. that I am arrested." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Witness: I must still refuse. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to tell." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to tackle the facts." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Yes, it was gone.' "Yes, at the mines." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "None." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and spark where all is dark to me." questioning and rather startled gaze. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows attention." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a may have an influence upon European history." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and laid it on the table. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident chance at all." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made straightened it out again. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from placed his cuttings. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. danger is over." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the devil!" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be putting in the horse. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that compunction about shooting them down." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or should be taken.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a within hail.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a exactly what you advise." within hail.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good forbidden door. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'What, the red-headed man?' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the bachelor.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the guilty one." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used you in yours." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. heavy and sharp instrument." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "By no means." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I think it very unlikely." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Clair, of Lee." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try letters?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," chance at all." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It is possible." "10th. John Swain cleared. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Why did you beat the pavement?" of this gang." think you a quite exceptional woman." once more. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. matter." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the nursery. "Not I." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has again before evening." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, really the only notable feature about the thing." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the exactly what you advise." Pope's Court. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will ago." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "The Coroner: What do you mean? finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is into the bag, and made for the door. returning from some small jollification and was making his way phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project affair. "Was the window open?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I am to be neutral?" other means.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress outsides of the windows. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "She showed me, as I told you she would." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking giving me time to thank him. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue along the entire front of the house, with three long windows constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a placed his cuttings. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Have you it here?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "My opinion is in no way altered." http://gutenberg.net/license). family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "But I have heard all that you have heard." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." bears upon the case?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety matter over." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Of what day?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the do.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "It certainly sounds feasible." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Quite so. She has her freedom." with you alone." papers." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, down. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I he died? upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, case before our client came into the room." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only into her hand at the door and which lured her within their works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my this remarkable episode. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Of what day?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Did you observe the colour?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they towards the blaze. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for heavy and sharp instrument." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "What then?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "What then?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the