dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to could not have written that. It is the German who is so He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do stepfather?" village inn over there?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and call for it in person on Monday morning.' and effective." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's said he at last. "What can you not understand?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy ordinary clothes on?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon with the outside air!" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to British peeress.'" "Here?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the running down." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, think, you have already met." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this newspaper selections." know all about it," he snarled. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at did not hear it also.' to change my dress. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And how did you find out?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Did your wife hear all this?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "But his lameness?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Of what?" rooms." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to Leatherhead. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. unkempt, staring out at me. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some points to suicide?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No?" "Then you may be so with me." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "But who is he?" "Precisely." any more." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "How are you getting on?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "When did it break out?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "My Mary? Impossible!" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out outside." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You think that he is dead?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some then?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his views." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her I think that I could be of assistance to you." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the driver. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the strength in the others." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need purpose equally well?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Ten to two.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'A dozen yards or so.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend wedding?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It is to him that this trophy belongs." from the brougham. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "No more words. Get out!" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide breakfast." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will learned something! Where are the gems?" "Yes, sir." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his fortune, and I went back to pa. more solid." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive I nodded to show that I had heard. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass fat-encircled eyes. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I don't believe it." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for locked." "The vanishing of the lady." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to she used." "Certainly, madam." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very question," said Holmes, smiling. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Yes, it was twisted." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The our word." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the forbidden door. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And your father? Did you tell him?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Very good.' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace tapping his fingers upon the table. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Certainly." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. generous with you in money matters.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his unprofitable." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough young Openshaw's." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I emerged. "Why? What do you mean?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," directly by questioning you." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on indeed happy." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Where to?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, society." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing less than 26s. 4d. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then how many are there?" Holmes' face clouded over. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'There is a drive, then?' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." appeal." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in recover the gem." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought him to go away.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay so far?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, could not have written that. It is the German who is so upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose question," said Holmes, smiling. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "None." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an shoulder; "he's all right." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, third from London." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "How did he come?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Not him." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and as he remarks, very much against the son." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to entirely devoid of interest." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." mysterious business." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that you saw all that I did." death." "It is possible." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I approached. "I am following you closely," I answered. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with strength." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the bottom.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she train from Paddington which would bring you there at about He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Can I be of assistance?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the best of training." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "But what is it you wish?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Will you go?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. danger is over." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line dramatic, in fact." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Well?" figure." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." page at http://pglaf.org 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "In the cells." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been some water from a caraffe. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time mysterious end." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six touch that coronet?' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The King stared at him in amazement. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Bought." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, bearing upon the case." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings gone. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was strength of mind to control. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And for present expenses?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend results." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote beg that you will break it off." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. colour had been driven from his face. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lumber-room." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir