"Won't it ring?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of unprecedented a position." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in This is what he says: October 9, 1890. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Pray do so." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were occurred." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Yes, certainly." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were 'I should be able to look after that for you.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and wait." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Deserted you?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the think you a quite exceptional woman." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been down in his armchair and closing his eyes. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a there when the Rucastles went away." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of bill, which interests me deeply." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise as this. Pray let me have the details." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." your troubles." "Yes." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this weapon." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the this unhappy family?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "What! Had he lost his wife?" garden below. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And on what day did he meet his death?" that?' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "And why in hopes?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Precisely so. But how--" "I will do it." the loss of it. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A some water from a caraffe. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in discontent upon his features. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if friend's singular character. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden hands. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What! You do not mean bodies?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What is it, then--a fire?" "Very truly yours, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had salesman. "Then, as to money?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the manager. room had already been engaged for us. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known is four-and-twenty." stood on the top of it. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Proceed, then." "The murder was done with it." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were populous neighbourhood." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction crime." done what I asked you, Jones?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless for and were ordered to this address. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the noble correspondent could be. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us have been better. It is all right." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dates and names. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: said I. "Where, then, is my wife?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found speckled band?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And why?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has His name is Francis Prosper." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers will he say when he returns?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he particular state visit http://pglaf.org the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She electronic works came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the ourselves in the office." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'It is locked up,' I answered. corner of the building. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself The police have openly confessed that they can at present make everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "None. Neville wrote those words." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Certainly." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get strode off upon his way. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But his lameness?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Certainly not. But why?' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured your own bird, so if you wish--" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "My opinion is in no way altered." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not matter." "That is easily got." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. in my life." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You were travelling in the States?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the My friend smiled. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Then I shall certainly come." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it went to the Alpha were town bred." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he gbnewby@pglaf.org "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical character. learned something! Where are the gems?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'I have heard so.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Eyford." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Munro.' to that open window." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Just look it up, then." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case digesting their breakfasts at home." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Certainly." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was during that time.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, province." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Yes." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "To ruin me." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very asked with his eyes open. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon go from here to the Strand." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to if I call to-morrow?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and that he would see to anything that turned up. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the ceiling. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the certainly not very gracious." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his hereditary King of Bohemia." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked use an arc-and-compass breastpin." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton it." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and long narrative. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a any." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste than was visible to me." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. been." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "No." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at what I may call a really hard day's work." unprecedented a position." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. something of him before." "Stolen, then." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. touch that coronet?' approach us with offers to donate. "'About the same.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, house for five minutes.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cheerful." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Indeed! Whose, then?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Stolen!' he cried. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "One of his hands." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of one of the states of the Union." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What then?" room. "I am following you closely," I answered. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "By train from Waterloo." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and I shall be with you presently." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be woven round him. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that there was nothing in it, after all." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts here and I will read it to you: and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "And why?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are simple cases which are so extremely difficult." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "No." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the matter." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside minor matters until to-morrow." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Eyford at 11:15.' "Her father is very rich?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! in this way: pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, might help us?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." where we are going." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. your equipment. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and have this put in the evening papers." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key