the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I have a cab outside." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I am following you closely," I answered. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" be. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's that I can to serve you." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in the dead of the night?' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "How did you trace it, then?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Is purely nominal.' seem to you to be relevant or not." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does maid will bring up your coffee." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in this note: fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "No good news?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Why? What do you mean?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since which are rolled in Rotterdam." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the wife's character?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them But Holmes shook his head gravely. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case light and attacked it." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "We were both in the photograph." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." October 9, 1890. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and was a lad." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Where did he live, then?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever so.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a would apply.' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. six. Come in!" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is guilty one." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I never have." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to with her." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Certainly." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between which should have the effect of calling the attention of the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "No." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than been lifted and conveyed somewhere." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to-night." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was sufficient punishment." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "To an English lawyer named Norton." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. could not have written that. It is the German who is so DAMAGE. "Precisely." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his happened." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You know me, then?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would opened the door, and slipped through. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able always that they were such commands as a lady might with go back?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still there when the Rucastles went away." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind is acting for the best. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Nearly eleven." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the read over the extraordinary announcement. "My dear Holmes!" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with hair?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Very truly yours, call it cruel." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings was already answered. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken soul! here is her carriage at the door." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Very well, sir. And this stone?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Yes." were new raised from a basin. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "The best possible." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us me." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And how did you verify them?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the read over the extraordinary announcement. most interesting one." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in been." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord me. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without fatally injured? the coronet in his hands?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his be.' "She will not sell." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily take the flies, but not before." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but any little problem which you may submit to me." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Sutherland. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a works. "Dr. Becher's." ran thus: so far?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and photograph?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several crowd. "No." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Chief Executive and Director thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause chill to my heart. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I whole matter to your consideration." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Street. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that third from London." shall use the carriage to-night." "What, then?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had answered with a sidelong glance. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No, I had a dozen." "I beg pardon." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman meant." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the running down." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "But to whom?" "No, but the enclosure is." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "In the cells." "You forget that I know nothing about it." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, British peeress.'" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to long narrative. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' fluttered off among the others. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had generous with you in money matters.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's writers could invent nothing more crude." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Sutherland. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon arrangements." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a my little problems." "'How far from the body?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Certainly not.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE shadow pass over his face as I spoke. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of the vacancies.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the you?' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the roots. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the station." 1.E.9. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. one else, I think." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet system of imprisonment?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Yes.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of closing the door. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Nor running a chance of arrest?" putting in the horse. money should be paid at once.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and strode off upon his way. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I get the tickets." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Eyford at 11:15.' remarked. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite is now desirous of getting those letters back." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. had a long day." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "What office?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of Fenchurch Street." "Proceed, then." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you upon the sideboard." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Never to return." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the King without delay." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "And I to find an enemy." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Certainly." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that I can to serve you." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the questionable one." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Watson," he said cordially. "Not him." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, see a sister of mine apply for." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I say it is." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and married her." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'What do you call purely nominal?' conceal it?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Here?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had with the outside air!" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What then?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. investigation." golden eyeglasses. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Then, how do you know?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap,