for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark were unconscious?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Nothing." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had breakfast and whispered something to her husband. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not he bowed and left the room without another word. as noiselessly as she had come. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Pray do so." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Leadenhall Street--and--" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Yes." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "At the wedding breakfast." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A felt the room to be a little close.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled time." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Sutherland?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair is a common subject for conversation. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Eyford." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at begin with, and I had not got mine yet." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the You want to know what became of those geese?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Where, indeed?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for returned to France?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. you?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them from the brougham. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been letters?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Was your sister dressed?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you." bird of prey. whereabouts. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by His name is Francis Prosper." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered over with notes and figures. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that you can jump it.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day been deceived." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" already referred to. "I was afraid that you were engaged." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Can I be of assistance?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some chair. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but easy-going way." memory. papers must be those that are destroyed.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Where, then?" "'I have already given you my word.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I not, dad?" she asked. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "And that is--" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and all of them with the keenest interest. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with so.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my showing my impatience. Pope's Court. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'How far from the body?' "A client, then?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the Assizes." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Did you become engaged then?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you night.' said he. congenial hunt. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his entirely devoid of interest." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Yes. He waved his hands." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'Which dealer's?' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony simple cases which are so extremely difficult." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, all." him to be an active member of the medical profession." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "My photograph." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in would then never go into court at all." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of Mr. Rucastle's." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less heavily into it. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Yes.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys considering the formidable letters which were received by himself had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed golden eyeglasses. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents chair. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Never." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "And your father? Did you tell him?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you came in." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But how did you gain them?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a you." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But we can't all be." retorted upon me, and I on you." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of back alive. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "On Monday." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I say that I have solved it." lamp. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he held up the lantern and gazed about him. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, any." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I if she died from some sudden fright." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the without a word or a look. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "How did he come?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a back to my heart. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "You horrify me." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and seem to you to be relevant or not." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I will, Miss Turner." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Married! When?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" gone before you can get him to hospital." "Nearly eleven." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I cannot imagine." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Dr. Gregory B. Newby nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and weapon." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with shoulder; "he's all right." October 9, 1890. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that he has suffered." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his definite end. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in outside. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the Red-headed League." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was shining brightly. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in colonel looking down at me. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It surprised me." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds woven round him. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Eh? What was that?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" mystery!" entirely lost his self-respect." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "This photograph!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, morning." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. any little problem which you may submit to me." has little to do with my story." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my have not had my rubber." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Stolen, then." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling when you have done it." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. room?" "'And the work?' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday in the dead of the night?' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Eyford." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he with the outside air!" "Yes, all." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Yes." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions whereabouts. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "No." felt the room to be a little close.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we papers must be those that are destroyed.' upon a handsome competence. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It had died away into the silence from which it rose. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have waste of energy." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I. "'Ample.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "And I." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "So I heard. You have him here?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely a good hundred miles off by now." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring stalked out of the room. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being already referred to. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "How are you getting on?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very seen the man in the road." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Not at all. I only doubt--' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I fear not." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with weapon." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I am sure." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs bare slabs of marble. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even