method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no not, dad?" she asked. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and your relations to her." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the into the bag, and made for the door. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock characteristics, but those are the more obvious." people in all walks of life. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. strength of mind to control. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." gives a meaning to it." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And for present expenses?" to his chemical studies. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the excitement. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I him." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and your relations to her." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I have solved it." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason grasp, he hurried from the room. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' suspect him." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring nights." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'I am sure that I do not know.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside heavily into it. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in recover the gem." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But not more so than I to find you." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "We were both in the photograph." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency coroner's jury." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy certainly do as you advise." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the chambers. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can What do you deduce from it?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." your Highness to the police-station?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, any." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'How far from the body?' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & instincts rose up against that laugh. gigantic client. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on you understand?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" may have an influence upon European history." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my point in the dark hollow of his hand. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "At the wedding breakfast." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Heh?' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I am not easy in my mind about them." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the something of him before." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless when your master had gone out." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "There is the writing." "Holmes, the busybody!" have I gained?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Yes, at the mines." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE before the coroner and the police-court." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. never to learn it at all." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and the colonel ushered me in. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Get out!" said he. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I know where it is." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he lumber-room." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in the dead of the night?' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall shoulder. "Yes, all." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on a good hundred miles off by now." very old mansion. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person eavesdroppers?' jewels which you have stolen?' had picked up in the wood. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, my secret was safe in his possession. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the experiences." Street. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, congenial hunt. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered congratulate you again." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up allusion to a rat. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open where she found matters as described by the last witness. and a shock of very red hair. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "So I have heard." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to miss it." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "My stepfather's business papers." heavily into it. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat introspective fashion. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how grasp, he hurried from the room. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." sofa. This way, please!" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of them has the shutters up.' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed footfalls from the street. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything himself to tell his story. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It orange pips. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "There is the writing." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining tell him that I know him to be innocent." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I call it cruel." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Oh, no.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Stoke Moran." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "No, but the enclosure is." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue take the flies, but not before." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "A thing like a cleaver," said he. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a heavy and sharp instrument." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, you." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "But you can know nothing of this?" it." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which from the brougham. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and was already answered. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "How did you deduce the select?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he From what you have told me I think that it is possible that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. questionable one." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the will take you up to see the machine.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you into the room. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Then I shall certainly come." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at sofa. This way, please!" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that shoulder. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." said I. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has or other trace. But how on earth--" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "The vanishing of the lady." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in through." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "My photograph." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to delighted to hear it," he said. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the he. have I gained?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the infinite languor in his face. observed. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the on re-entering her father's house?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, fact, we may call it conclusive." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one how narrow had been my escape. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great when your master had gone out." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I do." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom think that he is innocent?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "They are typewritten," I remarked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Do you know him?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "And the murderer?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by again on its way. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lips." and wait." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings all?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than