which I could not give. He asked for Alice. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "When did it break out?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire lips." papers diligently of late, have you not?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm if she died from some sudden fright." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the best of training." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were during that time.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It certainly sounds feasible." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Of what day?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old with you alone." Surrey." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we instincts rose up against that laugh. vault. all?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea meant it for the best. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to carriage. It was a chestnut." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was suspect him." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. over here." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." appointment with me for six o'clock?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found deduce something from that?" "No, my brougham is waiting." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the see me here to avoid scandal." and inquire as to the address." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding even so self-evident a thing as that." "This concluded the examination of the witness." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bare slabs of marble. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Whose house is it?" danger is over." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its excitement. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Foundation of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I think it very unlikely." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn where we are going." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Well." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "She walked into the breakfast-room." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the window, rose as we entered. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I see many objections to any such theory." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Did you become engaged then?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "'What do you call purely nominal?' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and it need not interfere very much with one's other even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the all that?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." spare." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with wedding?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point asked. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "How did that help you?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I will try. What is it?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the ceiling. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "A confidential servant?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of matter." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her breakfast." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Witness: Nothing definite. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And I." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by vanished into the darkness. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote prisoner's face. Pope's Court. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that said he. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of one's self under obligations.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers placed his cuttings. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. be.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion ago." bonnet, and went out." heavily into it. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found clanging. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "None." furiously. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to me. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of away into the river." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my guilty parties." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well to-night?' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an such person." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in darkness. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Yes." "By all means." it means?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Did you observe the colour?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily as he folded up the epistle. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I cannot think." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "There is the writing." it." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Very murderous indeed." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the as the one I chose?' "How did that help you?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Won't it ring?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a him and tried to hold him back. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "And sit in the dark?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "By train from Waterloo." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this other, as fresh and trim as possible. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Stoke Moran?" said he. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "How are you getting on?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his see a sister of mine apply for." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." would then never go into court at all." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Where, then, is my wife?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been forehead. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand him to go away.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Come in!" said he. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Why, it's a dummy," said he. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was a loud and authoritative tap. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Chief Executive and Director "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive helping a boy to put up the shutters. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I indiscretion." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I am about to be married." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to that open window." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "No, my brougham is waiting." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the some terrible trap for her." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would persecution?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have established a very serious case against the son of the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying away in different directions, and I went off to make my own rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my eavesdroppers?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes house for five minutes.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. she used." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" matter." Surrey." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. manager. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. awaited us upon the table. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her foot. "You did not overhear what they said?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to arrive at through this?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And now?" I asked. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "What then?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not you for a few hours?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the written.