"What do you mean?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "How did you trace it, then?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short dramatic, in fact." "I shall most certainly do so." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At must compliment you." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "One?" murdered man." as he folded up the epistle. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "No, I think that I'll take it." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I have come for advice." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable into her hand at the door and which lured her within their unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a despair." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of Fenchurch Street." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their ashen face. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute IS about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael away into the river." "'Certainly not. But why?' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned right! Sit down and let us talk it over." mysterious end." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Who was the criminal, then?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Has he come with you to-night?" name is different." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Certainly,' I answered. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Not particularly." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in voice. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and trifles." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "And how did he make his money?" "So it appears." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the station." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, only one." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it more terrible than the truth. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Get out!" said he. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the child." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Of what day?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have established a very serious case against the son of the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the me where it went to?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I would give my fortune to have them back." into the bag, and made for the door. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project McCarthy's innocence. "Precisely so. But how--" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, chambers. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my three fields round his house, and there he would take his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up question. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. your billet.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "At the wedding breakfast." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "No, thank goodness, she did not." colonel looking down at me. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every be sorry for having acted so harshly." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And why in hopes?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness figure." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, must compliment you." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which who was a member of your goose club." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the felt?" I. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the unprecedented a position." so.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend details." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No. What a strange idea!" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "How about poison?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. to his chemical studies. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Here?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked his forehead." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant business matters.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Did you become engaged then?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And help." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. as he remarks, very much against the son." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a vault. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "You did not overhear what they said?" of the vacancies.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to me. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I knowledge of the world." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Which dealer's?' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." good for you to do.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Holmes' face clouded over. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Yes.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You know me, then?" "I am still in the dark." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached prisoner's face. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" annoyance, but no jest. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing congenial hunt. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a has little to do with my story." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE my room." "Where, then?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Why serious?" little adventures." have one." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in all-comprehensive glances. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in gbnewby@pglaf.org room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes." reach." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to affect your life." affair. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And how did he make his money?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Does that suggest anything?" "'In my own bureau.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only manager. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle You can understand that this register and diary may implicate which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace from the brougham. "No more words. Get out!" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But how?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, outsides of the windows. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got nothing of it?" of Fenchurch Street." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she his forehead." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Certainly not. But why?' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "But he might be a bachelor." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think hour?' corner of the building. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "She walked into the breakfast-room." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "BALLARAT." miles off. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I am about to be married." congenial hunt. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for new duties?' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Here?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "And you can do nothing until then?" "Her father is very rich?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Quite so." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Why? What do you mean?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present better grown goose." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the said I. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter drove away. the bed, and you in that chair." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite happened." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And you thought he was pulled back?" gone. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "In which, sir?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his burst out into a roar of laughter. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at enter Dr. Roylott's room." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I know where it is." your most interesting statement." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. seem to you to be relevant or not." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed tightly behind him. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "They are typewritten," I remarked. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "What?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "What! a murderous attack?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wedding?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy dates and names. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the King without delay." would apply.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Ten will be early enough." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the were wasted." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to-night's adventure." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations