that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "One of the highest in England." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no a few minutes he said that it would be all right. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. evidence," I remarked. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than galvanised. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Yes, I promise.' "And it is--" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful American. Then who could this American be, and why should he we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Then I do not see the point." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in darkness. conclusions. "Nothing." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No, thank goodness, she did not." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Where could I find him?' "He slept on the premises." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "No." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Where to?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among chemical work which was so dear to him. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Entirely.' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, highly," said Holmes. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "What office?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I say that I have solved it." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to-night?" I asked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Come in!" said Holmes. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fat-encircled eyes. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Where, then, is my wife?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ways of our fellow-men." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Ten to two.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. fuss that is made over them." works. See paragraph 1.E below. never to learn it at all." "'I am sure if I had known--' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Really! You surprise me." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience bird I ate is country bred." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "You have a clue?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, tear off another piece?' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up ways of our fellow-men." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fishes. "Well?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled gives a meaning to it." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Always." the room while you explain this matter?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, companion. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I will not look." "'A dozen yards or so.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major stammered. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have I gained?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or disappearance of these gems?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that clanging. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the very morning of the wedding." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Absolutely none." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "No sign of it?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, papers on the sundial.'" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round said Mr. Holder. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further whole matter to your consideration." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Ha! you find it so?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which we had just quitted. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "So I have heard." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" DISSOLVED. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "So I am. Very much so." congratulate you again." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Well, some hundreds of times." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK there were so many in the whole country as were brought together became a certainty. most interesting one." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's with you?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had investigation." cause to be." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at papers on the sundial.'" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the true." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously me upon any point which I do not make clear." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" sake, don't!" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of colour had been driven from his face. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Entirely.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yes, sir." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is him, that man would not have given me such complete information mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One second." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might hardly wander." "Always." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. go back?" http://www.gutenberg.net ceremony." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of detained." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yesterday." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Holmes. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Married! When?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Then I do not see the point." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'I shall certainly be there.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose an introduction to him?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "So I heard. You have him here?" prisoner's face. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Certainly,' I answered. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Not yet." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition soul! here is her carriage at the door." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling asked. for the market.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And when will you call?" "Have you her photograph?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the carriage. It was a chestnut." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "He disappeared so suddenly." miles off. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's there when the Rucastles went away." young Openshaw's." "I know where it is." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Can I be of assistance?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. woven round him. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Will you bet, then?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to-night?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "This photograph!" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a good hundred miles off by now." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. point in the dark hollow of his hand. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such that before taking the final step I should like to submit the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid character. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Yes?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an tell them apart.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "How on earth--" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he call the police, let the police find what they can.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It empty. mysterious business." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a married her." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "One of his hands." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have accepted such a situation. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But how?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The vault. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Murdered?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Who was the criminal, then?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Henry Baker is a member." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest something of him before." clang of the bell. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three