down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'And what salary do you ask?' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here thin legs towards the fire. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. cigars in the box." "Proceed, then." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident giving me time to thank him. "I beg pardon." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "No, I think that I'll take it." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to status with the IRS. hopeless attempt at recovering them." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here power." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "What, then?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "An enemy?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with case before our client came into the room." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered again." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian It was close upon four before the door opened, and a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. to surprise her." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very coroner's jury." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to have been novel and of interest." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and carried out of court." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others address. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. said Mr. Holder. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in gone. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "So it appears." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon indeed happy." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Do you go out much in society?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Holmes rather sternly. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. room had already been engaged for us. way: have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'I have heard so.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing 'I should be able to look after that for you.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, out." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The gentleman I describe." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may DAMAGE. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and files of the old papers, following the future career of every saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly bed dies. Does not that strike you?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, morning." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Stolen, then." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that introspective fashion. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, certainly." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent place of silver." following enigmatical notices: the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering province." companion. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Which dealer's?' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked charge against him will break down." fluttered off among the others. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Pope's Court, Fleet Street." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What! Had he lost his wife?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a happened." "I beg pardon." "Dirty?" to-morrow." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." clang of the bell. friends, not even his own brother. back to my heart. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, address. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of the way of danger. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not bears upon the case?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are business came to an end." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far memory. written. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have mystery." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first photograph a cabinet?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but remarked. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then once more on the important position which you have been fortunate appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "On your arm?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Holmes' room. business at Coburg Square is serious." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the photograph a cabinet?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but within hail.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? my room." friend's singular character. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Was the window open?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is behind me. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But you have hopes?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend window when the police appeared." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the coronet in his hands?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I should be immensely obliged to you." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "What are they?" results." green of the new foliage. "But she could not love him." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without that threaten you." and inquire as to the address." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to national property. I was determined that the law should have its panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I. companion. "But what is it you wish?" to have been novel and of interest." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over miles off. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Tired-looking or fresh?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Nothing." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it call the police, let the police find what they can.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Indeed! Whose, then?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Serpentine Avenue. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight electronic works Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a way: in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of campaign. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to careless servant girl?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about do.' to take care of herself." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to would then never go into court at all." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the locked." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young him to be an active member of the medical profession." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "And what did you see?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, fluttered off among the others. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a green of the new foliage. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord him to be an active member of the medical profession." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No, finished." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices rooms." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "10th. John Swain cleared. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'I am sure that I do not know.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the said he. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "No, my brougham is waiting." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to way in." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet must be when I saw the door open.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the annoyance, but no jest. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which head. So long, then!" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it neither fascinating nor artistic." "And now?" I asked. so.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. is acting for the best. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round relief. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. purpose of examination. least a most suspicious remark." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A maid will bring up your coffee." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "What I expected to see." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time right! Sit down and let us talk it over." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the coroner come to?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan power." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had face and glided from the room. depend upon your compliance." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to a more successful conclusion." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit memory. "'Never,' said I. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and wait." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others that he will be back before evening." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight distance from the station, and there we found the young lady through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately digesting their breakfasts at home."