daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who room. "Not I." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he died? the King without delay." "No, my brougham is waiting." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no nothing of it?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "The King of Scandinavia." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You think so, too?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "None." written. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I spare." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out woman." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I am armed." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. acquaintance?" the coronet in his hands?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Never.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Of what?" breakfast?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping skylight. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "At half-wages, in fact." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and despaired of." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Eyford." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is writers could invent nothing more crude." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of stepfather?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him may never be exposed to such a temptation." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Where to?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and asked. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this address. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" companion quietly. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your singular points about the case. What did the police think of the careless servant girl?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the very morning of the wedding." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The Cedars?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "How long did she speak to this Alice?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the less than 26s. 4d. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes, from Horsham." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any deduce something from that?" hereditary King of Bohemia." Farm upon the left." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, brandy and water within his reach. behind me. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a make me his representative both with the servants and with the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "On Monday." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat charge against him will break down." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "So I am. Very much so." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. prison!" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the side-table." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Why serious?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Then, as to money?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to whereabouts. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears that you wished to speak to me?' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Pray do so." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." outbreak?" already referred to. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to surprise her." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the your own bird, so if you wish--" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been papers on the sundial.'" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the only touch the interest." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your pressing in one house as in another. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are danger is over." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am ventilator." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Who was the criminal, then?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Of Friday, June 19th." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could wall." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very companion. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "She showed me, as I told you she would." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for up this clue while it is still hot." think that he is innocent?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old seen the man in the road." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does is worth.' It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was burst out into a roar of laughter. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found our word." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of purpose equally well?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Pool. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I cannot tell." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had if she died from some sudden fright." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security better in every way that they should make their position a little "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It is possible." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst beg that you will break it off." the stones. "Do you go out much in society?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good fuss that is made over them." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from garden below. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, was lame." tied." outbreak?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say tied." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the tension within him. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was your bag." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Yes." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The knees of his trousers." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Thank you. Pray proceed." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Nothing?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "And is that all?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened For additional contact information: say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" front of me. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "What! a murderous attack?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and depend upon my doing so.' think you a quite exceptional woman." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good assist you in forming an opinion." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water really the only notable feature about the thing." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. be sorry for having acted so harshly." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his in one or two places in England?' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet floor. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. dramatic, in fact." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Foundation and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off had this final quarrel? end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "If so, much may have happened between." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of narrative." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Then let me do so?' me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would important." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of just called myself is not exactly my own." "No, but the enclosure is." are, and they are waiting for us." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he garden below. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be next day. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Sholtos." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which we had just quitted. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and License. You must require such a user to return or abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Were they all fastened this morning?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that I can to serve you." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "My last client of the sort was a king." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The stood on the top of it. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Murdered?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the so-precious time, but come!' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. may have an influence upon European history." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Her father is very rich?" hour?' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Upon what point?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now face and glided from the room. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or subject to the trademark license, especially commercial uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000