newspaper selections." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a good hundred miles off by now." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism details should find their way into the papers. Inspector questioning and rather startled gaze. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the drawing your inferences." without a word or a look. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Yes, it would be as well." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I was sure that I might rely on you." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "None." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'I have heard so.' to me. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a interest. They are important, you understand, without being were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been one's self under obligations.' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, himself. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "When did it break out?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Dr. Becher's." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would weigh very heavily upon my conscience." tightly behind him. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness pierced for earrings?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Pool. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left think that any burglar could have done. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "How often?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in gigantic client. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. in one or two places in England?' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I should wish to." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has one of the states of the Union." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom sneer upon his pale face. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Can I be of assistance?" served to weaken the effect. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "What, then, did Peterson do?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was must be when I saw the door open.' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Well, some hundreds of times." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But he might be a bachelor." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon I held the little printed slip to the light. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Not him." not fit the lock." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Dark enough and sinister enough." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Awake, Watson?" he asked. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fattened it expressly for you.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his into the room. closing the door. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step as the one I chose?' Literary Archive Foundation some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies village inn over there?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to have been novel and of interest." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be bears upon the case?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low clanging. all-comprehensive glances. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew begin with, and I had not got mine yet." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at room had already been engaged for us. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might a good hundred miles off by now." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "One of the highest in England." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Married! When?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "But your client--" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am yet." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Perhaps I have." the coroner come to?" said I. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how foot. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." stammered. unprecedented a position." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, wife's character?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to events than those which have happened in my own family." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them at a side door. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. gone. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and name is different." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Game for a morning drive?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "What! a murderous attack?" not fit the lock." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee envelope. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "In which, sir?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is lamp. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "But what will you do?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" It may be so in this case, also." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I should like to see him very much." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "And who is her maid?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his eyes and forehead. "But not more so than I to find you." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Serpentine Avenue. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, back to my heart. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "No?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a again before evening." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and that he will be back before evening." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose goes." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as my room." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Where to?' Farm upon the left." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying my room." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to said he. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have someone who had been in Australia." "What shall I do?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." woven round him. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Frequently." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Texas, I think." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his keep the flames under. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which leave you to your papers for a little." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how fatally injured? uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I was mad--insane." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of business." and effective." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Pray continue your narrative." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "And leave your case unfinished?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with pictures, libraries, or plate. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank to his chemical studies. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the how narrow had been my escape. have got?" cause to be." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name is now desirous of getting those letters back." the night.' "Deserted you?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the Assizes." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Holmes' room. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than past. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner during that time.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Nothing." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was silent! Oh, he will be silent!' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "My dear Holmes!" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was do.' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three maiden herself was most instructive." kindly on the shoulder. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "None." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months of." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight nothing of it?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and your most interesting statement." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "But you can know nothing of this?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you do it in twenty minutes!' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Really! You surprise me." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included conclusions. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his people don't know." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the Red-headed League." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and unclasping of his long thin hands. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if generous with you in money matters.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You horrify me." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "How did you trace it, then?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest woman who has had her own way to make in the world. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained