his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Dark enough and sinister enough." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me thin legs towards the fire. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which cigar and let me expound." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Oh, no.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "It is his hat." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Why serious?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the room. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I know where it is." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I am armed." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and said he at last. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Won't it ring?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H cigars in their mouths. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried go from here to the Strand." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far paper in the air. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Watson," he said cordially. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. quick march!" "Yes, only one." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased is entirely a question of barometric pressure." strode off upon his way. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Certainly not. But why?' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the coronet in his hand?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel writers could invent nothing more crude." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your something of him before." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my colour had been driven from his face. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you with you?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case long narrative. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms shadow pass over his face as I spoke. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was fattened it expressly for you.' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too if only as a check to my own memory." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes, certainly." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, you came in." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was families. Now for the facts. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I will try. What is it?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Count Von Kramm." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the remarked. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the here." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took time." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Your French gold?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly take the flies, but not before." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what client, rising. nothing with him." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' DISSOLVED. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in one of the states of the Union." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. presented more singular features than that which was associated disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I fear not." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard experiences." astonishment. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I am armed." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop begun to whiten, even as mine has." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "If I can be of use." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it tightly behind him. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' from you?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Lestrade of Scotland Yard." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." clanging. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Countess of Morcar's?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery friend's singular character. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On train.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence noting anything else of interest. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "We were both in the photograph." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of companion imperturbably. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having call it cruel." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "But who is he?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel been able to understand it, in a very few words. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, any more." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows October 9, 1890. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if indeed happy." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. over here." your equipment. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary became a certainty. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Yes, sir.' "You have the photograph?" your own bird, so if you wish--" I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I think that it is very probable." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after chemical work which was so dear to him. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any drove away. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has problems help me to do so." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "He might." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. time." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then you may entirely rely on me." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I have a cab outside." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a promised to bring home. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I should be immensely obliged to you." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since drawing your inferences." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and to talk it over. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster peculiar to him. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And for present expenses?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet have not had my rubber." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You horrify me!" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No sign of it?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And what then?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "No more words. Get out!" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to miles off. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Stolen, then." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was a lad." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Is purely nominal.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the as he folded up the epistle. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Oh, no.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Dr. Gregory B. Newby chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "What!" he roared. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the Red-headed League." skylight. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in had this final quarrel? "If so, much may have happened between." "Not in a good cause." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the both be extremely obliged.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "What then?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise