Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Foundation was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the already been minutely examined." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Deserted you?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" his forehead." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "He said that you could solve anything." to tackle the facts." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "How did you trace it, then?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not your equipment. "Eh? What was that?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'What then?' I asked. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small all that?" to-morrow." been with you?" to change my dress. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, conceal it?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Very well, sir. And this stone?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I generous with you in money matters.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" existence." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Do you know him?" and the church but not where the lady lived." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little village inn over there?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "No sign of it?" to his chemical studies. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you hopeless attempt at recovering them." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, touch that coronet?' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Which dealer's?' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most friend's singular character. "None. Neville wrote those words." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Very truly yours, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest weigh very heavily upon my conscience." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that grasp, he hurried from the room. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so trifles." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the sparkled upon his finger. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "And leave your case unfinished?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused all that?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." voice. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I there was no need for father to know." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I detained." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE was keenly on my guard against him. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had about. Does that suggest anything?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Eh? What was that?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. absorbing." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to a light-house. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the address that was given us in the advertisement. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "The landlord of the Alpha." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over mystery!" been deceived." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I cannot as yet see any connection." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The note?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." rose-bushes. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Stoke Moran?" said he. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for ago." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of Mr. Rucastle's." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. back alive. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to on re-entering her father's house?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who correct than the official force." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sparkled upon his finger. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the matter." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Entirely." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I nodded again. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You were travelling in the States?" to-morrow." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "That also I could fathom." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "In San Francisco, a year ago." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in this way: relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I came to find a friend." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And how did you verify them?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered grasp, he hurried from the room. "Not yet." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the will he say when he returns?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, opportunities to fix the problem. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few tapping his fingers upon the table. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, union?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done said he. at my remark. passage and a tap at the door. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the nursery. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "What I expected to see." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'About the same.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. thought that she would have been so carried away." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to tackle the facts." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes." "Do you go out much in society?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Ten will be early enough." "Eh? What was that?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "How often?" presume?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Surrey." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have bird I ate is country bred." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You have the photograph?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were one or two very singular points about this room. For example, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Is he quiet?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and said I. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell conduct the inquiry." was keenly on my guard against him. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You did not overhear what they said?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands some water from a caraffe. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the companion quietly. unprofitable." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No." "Never." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." were new raised from a basin. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of power." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I think it very unlikely." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Here?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, records." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "None." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the instincts rose up against that laugh. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And the cigar-holder?" bedroom door." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being gigantic client. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Will you bet, then?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Quite so. She has her freedom." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal his forehead." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he upon the sideboard." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "One of his hands." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in him." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment had a long day." official police." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in me upon any point which I do not make clear." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Did he not advertise?" fire. You quite follow me?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed me, and I could not think that his explanation of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "That's no good." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their records." compunction about shooting them down." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And the murderer?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that threaten you." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll strength of mind to control. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," you in yours." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from presume?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and prosperity to your house. Good-night." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "But how?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she heavily into it. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Pray do so." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can writing, and yet I know it well." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "No more words. Get out!" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "What steps will you take?" I asked. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it John Swain, of St. Augustine. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Why that?' I asks. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the said he at last. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Sutherland?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to me. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his outside. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the house with me." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom