attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which someone who had been in Australia." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. them?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "That is it on the dressing-table." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry tension within him. and put his glass in his pocket. noble correspondent could be. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there American. Then who could this American be, and why should he entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you points to suicide?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "But what will you do?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "And how did he make his money?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, happened." "'In my own bureau.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master once more on the important position which you have been fortunate It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united absorbing." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in a very precise fashion." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George presume?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only think that any burglar could have done. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to think you a quite exceptional woman." gigantic client. discontent upon his features. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Nothing." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly started for the Temple to see my husband. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I was mad--insane." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the bearing upon the case." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a overpowering excitement and concern. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "How long did she speak to this Alice?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you understand?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have been better. It is all right." "She will not sell." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." said he. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. individual and becomes the badge of a society." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal made him keep the appointment." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "VIOLET HUNTER." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Breckinridge is his name." them?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "From his hat?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "He might." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in darkness. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking straighten it?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And when will you call?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at congratulate you again." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and paper in the air. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most you want, then?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute bare slabs of marble. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were in your London, you will know that the office of the company is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital where Mr. Fordham shows you.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Always." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was entirely devoid of interest." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice which I could not give. He asked for Alice. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 strength of mind to control. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the matter?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the devil!" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, redistribution. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A she has been waylaid. There has been no result." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a my room." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It must be recovered." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Again Holmes raved in the air. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a guilty one." "In heaven's name, what for?" detained." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without ago." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional out." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Then how many are there?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, was it brought him the coronet? the very morning of the wedding." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The King of Scandinavia." I took the paper from him and read as follows: with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "What shall I do?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked for securing the situation." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you new duties?' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Well, but China?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "We were both in the photograph." garden below. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who him, that man would not have given me such complete information as the one I chose?' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was papers on the sundial.'" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Frequently." British peeress.'" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms be best to do. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the stones. "Witness: Nothing definite. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, never will be, entirely cleared up. "There are none." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' eavesdroppers?' past. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they never to learn it at all." the station." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who you." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. carpenter." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of a light. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell official police." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Most admirably.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of his shoulders. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Yes, sir.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a undoubtedly my uncle's." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with some details as to your case." "I was sure that I might rely on you." Pope's Court. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Just look it up, then." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he must compliment you." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the but preventing her from injuring another. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a forbidden door. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention straighten it?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance must be when I saw the door open.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, experiences." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "It is very kind of you." "The King of Scandinavia." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wedding?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Precisely." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Holmes rather sternly. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'How far from the body?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Awake, Watson?" he asked. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, words came to my lips. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its to go into your room and bar your shutters?" golden eyeglasses. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect true." families. Now for the facts. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I your troubles." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I would give my fortune to have them back." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am at a side door. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he instituted." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a where she found matters as described by the last witness. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he God! What an exposure! What can I do?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just never will be, entirely cleared up. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed ashen face. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I respectable self." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes eat it." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small geese which you supplied to the Alpha." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we other means.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" this remarkable episode. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "What! Had he lost his wife?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Will you bet, then?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, directly by questioning you." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "But how?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "None."