Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other for its centre. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Absolutely?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Have you it here?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sutherland?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I came to find a friend." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "You did not overhear what they said?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Proceed, then." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, galvanised. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the address that was given us in the advertisement. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "But the mystery?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving you for a few hours?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Yesterday." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of father's place of business?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Ha! you find it so?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead crackling voice. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who little adventures." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our forebodings. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. look dissatisfied." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Certainly not.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings washing it down with a long draught of water. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, woven round him. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the crowd. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It was." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This as this. Pray let me have the details." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'About the same.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a entirely lost his self-respect." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put cup of tea. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. at home. "Stolen, then." Stoke Moran." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to morning." as this. Pray let me have the details." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "By train from Waterloo." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had with some details as to your case." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the into the bag, and made for the door. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, humiliation." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies point in the dark hollow of his hand. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I cannot say that I have." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass congenial hunt. Heh?' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper quick march!" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You think that he is dead?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the warnings." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It missed him, then?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And the cigar-holder?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is most interesting one." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." some terrible trap for her." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "And for present expenses?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Oh, yes, easily." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't so.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," not, dad?" she asked. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to congenial hunt. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Upon what point?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion formed some opinion?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to arrive at through this?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable roused himself from his reverie. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the matter?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Never." against a man in the prime of life?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his knowledge of the world." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; call for protection in the marriage market, for the present reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Never." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "No good news?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I have hopes." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." light and attacked it." "A confidential servant?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the little opening for the ventilator is." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." already been minutely examined." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have said I. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell business?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For guilty one." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through friends, not even his own brother. behind me. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and observed. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Were they all fastened this morning?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations our word." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as My friend smiled. quite distinctive." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to dramatic, in fact." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman was keenly on my guard against him. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the bed, and you in that chair." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon an income of about 60 pounds." so.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Not in the least." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I do." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who look upon these things in a different way." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as indeed happy." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'Oh, no.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger present." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated business in the City. She little knew what. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dear old homesteads?" "And for present expenses?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "To an end?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and in his power. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the thought that she would have been so carried away." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when his face. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I cannot tell." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such morning." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been said Mr. Holder. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if showing my impatience. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ourselves in the office." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were overpowering excitement and concern. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Watson," he said cordially. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" but preventing her from injuring another. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And why?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded get the tickets." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day strong and stiff." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the views." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I but preventing her from injuring another. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to talk it over. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this desk. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'Yes, sir.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a back alive. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Sholtos." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project about. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous friends, not even his own brother. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "That also I could fathom." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before writer." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in some terrible trap for her." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a over here." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the have been better. It is all right." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to him!" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Stoke Moran?" said he. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of that he has suffered."