"None." interest. They are important, you understand, without being looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, appeared upon the scene." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the night.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of disturbance in my wife." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Precisely." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is respectable self." see me here to avoid scandal." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated will be renamed. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical keep the flames under. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his as he remarks, very much against the son." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. tear off another piece?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had this final quarrel? "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the tragedy. "'And the work?' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in over here." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that opportunities to fix the problem. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the there was no need for father to know." not as remarkable as your advertisement." think you a quite exceptional woman." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I quickly through a disagreeable task. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was place of silver." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "She walked into the breakfast-room." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we way in everything. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can helping a boy to put up the shutters. case before our client came into the room." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It is very kind of you." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of his shoulders. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our light and attacked it." awkward doing business with an alias." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that someone who had been in Australia." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over have got?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "She told me to ask you." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Not particularly." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the coronet in his hands?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and think, you have already met." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' McCarthy." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I should be immensely obliged to you." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "To an English lawyer named Norton." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say maiden herself was most instructive." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Perhaps I have." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I think that I had better go, Holmes." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his you came in." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H your only hope of safety." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "One of his hands." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great head. So long, then!" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a good hundred miles off by now." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I am to be neutral?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "To ruin me." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your see a sister of mine apply for." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation as this. Pray let me have the details." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "No, but the enclosure is." is now desirous of getting those letters back." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sooner or later she must fall a victim. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "And the murderer?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea children over to America with him, so that I found myself without searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'I have heard so.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her said I. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a will he say when he returns?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, tied." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I article?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Very. But will he see it?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw do.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: true." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as hereditary King of Bohemia." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Where did you address your letters, then?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of like that before?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but notes," he said. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Yes, sir.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it God! What an exposure! What can I do?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged security.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." with her." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Miss Holder?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without your bag." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and appeal." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the corner of the building. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "And how have you succeeded?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the stable lane now." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not From what you have told me I think that it is possible that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards breakfast." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And on what day did he meet his death?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. felt?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I will do it." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. feature." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I shall continue with my miserable story. true." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the very letters. But what is this written above them?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The doctor?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "My last client of the sort was a king." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Certainly." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Ah!" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my you?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to talk it over. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I am not easy in my mind about them." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the King without delay." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "What have you to say now?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "There are none." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to sooner or later she must fall a victim. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue taking in every detail of the apartment. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in the hope of finding them." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that I can to serve you." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and during that time.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Oh, no.' suddenly upon us." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my already been minutely examined." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start following enigmatical notices: of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a not come at once?" Chief Executive and Director have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I character. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A cigar and let me expound." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "No, my brougham is waiting." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the furiously. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And I say east," said my patient. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was future lives." tear off another piece?' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he father's young wife.