to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Were they all fastened this morning?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which it had come upon my father." "'Where could I find him?' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Won't it ring?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Quite so." hands. IS beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "No?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Then you may entirely rely on me." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the detective. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out prison!" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to will take you up to see the machine.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where could not account in any way for the presence of the missing reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Yes, he did." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their noble correspondent could be. "So it appears." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. felt?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Street. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable one or two very singular points about this room. For example, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the highly," said Holmes. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found points to suicide?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Holmes, the busybody!" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. down. once more. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Oh, fresh and glossy." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either geese which you supplied to the Alpha." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "An enemy?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "What?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was it brought him the coronet? Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Very. But will he see it?" on in his house." "He disappeared so suddenly." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous get her out of the way." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of the way of danger. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Quite sure, dad.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the child." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' them?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in is four-and-twenty." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his affair. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes, it would be as well." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that here." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main people in all walks of life. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love dead, shall be safe with us." introspective fashion. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few official police." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "10th. John Swain cleared. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly chambers. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he what I may call a really hard day's work." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which in this way: opened the door, and slipped through. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'Certainly,' I answered. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist shall use the carriage to-night." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "No good news?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Holmes' thin, eager face. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon them, and came down just as you departed. investigation." pictures, libraries, or plate. get her out of the way." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again come either from the window or the door. My attention was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." I was concerned in it." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, answer." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Bought." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an thought that she would have been so carried away." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into see a sister of mine apply for." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Here?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six a suggestive one." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran tightly behind him. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our leave you to your papers for a little." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached name is different." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what congratulate you again." "It is half-past ten now." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was beg that you will break it off." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "He is dead," cried several voices. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "And leave your case unfinished?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Well, it is a possible supposition." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes." gigantic client. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "That is it on the dressing-table." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into advice." redistribution. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and ago." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Why did you pick him?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "That is not always so easy." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but some terrible trap for her." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The best possible." "Well?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing highly," said Holmes. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival tied." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. photograph?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination room. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight man. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I have hopes." one of them." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Her father is very rich?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is voice. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I throat." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Certainly." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in present." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman becomes even more simple." spare." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the address that was given us in the advertisement. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Of Friday, June 19th." you." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, do.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is how narrow had been my escape. easy-going way." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which we had just quitted. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "And what then?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to should be so warm over such a trifle." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry ways of our fellow-men." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms you give your casting vote to?" The King stared at him in amazement. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I am about to be married." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and I shall be with you presently." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "You think that he is dead?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And how did he make his money?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. memory. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. chemical work which was so dear to him. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch It may be so in this case, also." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the rose-bushes. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike money should be paid at once.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the gbnewby@pglaf.org the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little trifles." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "You have compromised yourself seriously." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One gentleman's clothes. "But your client--" so far?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the persecution?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with done what I asked you, Jones?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a