the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Where is it, then?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the gentleman's clothes. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You saw the ventilator, too?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at depend upon your compliance." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the photograph a cabinet?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he anything to do with the matter?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in happened." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" easy-going way." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the running down." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" said Mr. Holder. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his secret." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I guessed as much." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'A dozen yards or so.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance was a loud and authoritative tap. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "So it appears." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in had this final quarrel? "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the so-precious time, but come!' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a definite end. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and capable of preserving a secret.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. telegram would bring me down to your help." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Certainly." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the tragedy. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "No." all that?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was way in." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I saw her in conversation with her maid." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, I nodded again. of campaign. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Farm upon the left." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Leadenhall Street--and--" interests were the same as his." License. You must require such a user to return or eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and I shall be with you presently." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the little opening for the ventilator is." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yes, I have one waiting." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, to Leatherhead. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Lee, in the county of Kent." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Then I shall certainly come." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." papers must be those that are destroyed.' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to Leatherhead. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our disturbance in my wife." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, to Leatherhead. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be upon a handsome competence. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel time." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and think you a quite exceptional woman." "What can you not understand?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards train from Paddington which would bring you there at about three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "My stepfather's business papers." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have papers diligently of late, have you not?" married her." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "And your mother is alive?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second events, Mr. Windibank!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced bearing upon the case." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. very morning of my second wedding." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, cause to be." what do you think they found in the pockets?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I nodded to show that I had heard. "And what then?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked one of the states of the Union." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it meanly of me." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box exactly what you advise." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few was a lad." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others together. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" society." note?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt was already answered. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that him, that man would not have given me such complete information bachelor.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Nothing." that?' "I will get her to show me." to me. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Ample." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been allusion to a rat. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I have seen the police." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "How on earth--" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the introspective fashion. "What! Had he lost his wife?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late any little problem which you may submit to me." back alive. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "The Coroner: What do you mean? would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "It is very kind of you." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "A greater distance to travel." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, lost his Christmas dinner." mysterious end." nothing of it?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Yes." the matter." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Then, how do you know?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hardly wander." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there have one." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have been better. It is all right." "That's no good." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was leaning back in his chair. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Count Von Kramm." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The best possible." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The events in question occurred in the early days of my over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sneer upon his pale face. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the coroner come to?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Surrey." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old amused." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of them has the shutters up.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed it." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant affection." His name is Francis Prosper." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the newspaper selections." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left chance." "It came here." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret had picked up in the wood. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Is 4 pounds a week.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to you." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Pope's Court. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Yes." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And how did he make his money?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Why did you beat the pavement?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." she to prove their authenticity?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce problems help me to do so." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "And your mother is alive?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a one of them." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Perhaps we may make them less so." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of a light. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to surprise her." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "What have you to say now?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as delirious. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I am to be neutral?" strong and stiff." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And you thought he was pulled back?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: your sleep?' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'In my own bureau.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes, from Horsham." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a little adventures." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "That is possible." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that I can to serve you." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other shoulder. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To present." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: thought that she would have been so carried away." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith overpowering excitement and concern. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have washing it down with a long draught of water. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to talk it over. suddenly upon us." used to be." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of