Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you, my dear young lady?' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of Mr. Rucastle's." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very are, and they are waiting for us." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a His smile broadened. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered some water from a caraffe. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll beg that you will break it off." "Precisely." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "How are you getting on?" better grown goose." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "And the cigar-holder?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are there in twenty minutes." second." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of Fenchurch Street." John Swain, of St. Augustine. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his matters immensely." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands papers on the sundial.'" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain you." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." keep the flames under. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man conclusions. http://gutenberg.net/license). "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the bled considerably." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "One horse?" interjected Holmes. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. carpenter." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his which are rolled in Rotterdam." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "But his lameness?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Never." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "What office?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over business." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I have it here in my museum." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his fact, we may call it conclusive." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can dates and names. habit of advancing money.' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I don't say that. Perhaps." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a them?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Perfectly so." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features me upon any point which I do not make clear." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all definite end. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And how in the world did you find them?" "Look there!" said he. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a at my remark. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. what do you think they found in the pockets?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Then what has happened to him?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, such person." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per in him." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the seem to you to be relevant or not." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we south, for the country is more deserted there." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever not within a twentieth part of the market price." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Yes." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It is very clear." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong which was all perfectly true. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to have been novel and of interest." "No, my brougham is waiting." of a light. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, this as likely?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. on in his house." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his it right.' if I call to-morrow?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Is purely nominal.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some chair. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "That is easily got." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, all-comprehensive glances. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Yes, it was gone.' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "9th. McCauley cleared. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and no precautions can guard against." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have should be taken.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the very morning of the wedding." "None. Neville wrote those words." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that?' peculiar to him. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his copied or distributed: "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime she has been waylaid. There has been no result." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of the one which your family is now devouring." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Dr. Gregory B. Newby where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "You don't mind breaking the law?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" eavesdroppers?' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the matter." carpenter." bled considerably." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. bearing upon the case." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Why serious?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. had formerly been in part my own. "But she will refuse." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I cannot imagine." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "In heaven's name, what for?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being along the entire front of the house, with three long windows square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign manager. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then joking. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "How did he come?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "By train from Waterloo." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I do.' zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across has little to do with my story." "Ten will be early enough." "Well, it is a possible supposition." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" as noiselessly as she had come. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I will do it." for and were ordered to this address. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my were new raised from a basin. opened the door, and slipped through. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a place of silver." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this visitors." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "But your client--" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and evidence," I remarked. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I will try. What is it?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." already been minutely examined." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "No." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her prison!" "Where is it, then?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and that he would see to anything that turned up. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'About the same.' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as his grey eyes. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, girl said." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It is his hat." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his narrative." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations brain must have something in it." "If so, much may have happened between." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Where to?' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for before, for it was considerably after midnight. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle lips." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I detained." that I can to serve you." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "No bad?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "And sit in the dark?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. your bag." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Entirely." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the may never be exposed to such a temptation." exactly what you advise." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." forebodings. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be with the outside air!" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There bearing upon the case." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely returning from some small jollification and was making his way to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Very good.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. on in his house." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The assist you in forming an opinion." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to tackle the facts."