drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "He is still with you, I presume?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk cause to be." child?' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and will not take me long to tell. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as upon an income of about 60 pounds." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that union?" returned to France?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are chance at all." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "She walked into the breakfast-room." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The police have openly confessed that they can at present make prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the salesman. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Seven!" I answered. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, enter Dr. Roylott's room." charged with?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Precisely." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "And the cigar-holder?" have got?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I union?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." heavy and sharp instrument." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yes." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business very peculiar words of the dying woman?" it right.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "She walked into the breakfast-room." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it meant." events than those which have happened in my own family." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might was not a bird to be seen there. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, guilty parties." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are you found me to-night--and running through the front room she an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "But what will you do?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick fattened it expressly for you.' anything to do with the matter?" "Seven!" I answered. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Nothing?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "On the contrary, this is the right side." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by lamp. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and all of them with the keenest interest. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "My stepfather's business papers." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, correct than the official force." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'What do you call purely nominal?' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise introspective fashion. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair woman who has had her own way to make in the world. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural approach us with offers to donate. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and all of them with the keenest interest. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the tragedy. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The place no limit on the sum I may draw." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Countess of Morcar's?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "My dear Holmes!" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Farm upon the left." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. rat could hardly pass through." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." is now desirous of getting those letters back." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable I think that I could be of assistance to you." as the one I chose?' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For gives a meaning to it." "Do you know him?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to a light-house. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. or other trace. But how on earth--" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the window, rose as we entered. "Is he quiet?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the morning and make my own way in the world.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I think that I had better go, Holmes." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and laid it on the table. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was seem to you to be relevant or not." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this place, I think that there is good ground to think that the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a mysterious business." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the for its centre. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and back into the street. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a charged with?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant with you?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wife's character?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they works. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "At what time?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, back into the street. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been quickly through a disagreeable task. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that weapon." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the strong and stiff." the inner apartment." "I came to find a friend." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave what these perils are?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking this poor creature." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged if only as a check to my own memory." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my coroner's jury." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Farm upon the left." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the comes from the middle window." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office heavy and sharp instrument." electronic works trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a himself to hunt down. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My intrusion of other matters." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to he died? other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss lamp in his hand. row." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Never." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the address that was given us in the advertisement. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" sparkled upon his finger. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge with you alone." details." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was despaired of." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I saw her in conversation with her maid." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert interested in these little problems, and since you are good bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client until night should bring an explanation. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of his shoulders. secret." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I will get her to show me." dates and names. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the up this clue while it is still hot." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Holmes. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned became a certainty. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Who by?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit in one or two places in England?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Yes, it was twisted." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'About the same.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'You cannot say what it was?' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "What! a murderous attack?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." least a fellow-countryman. "Certainly." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now crowd. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "We must have a cab." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I will get her to show me." "Why did you beat the pavement?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat better in every way that they should make their position a little "I shall most certainly do so." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have one." "Dark enough and sinister enough." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No, I am descending." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'Ten to two.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "My dear Holmes!"