hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Yes, from Horsham." "Texas, I think." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am said he, "my real name is James Ryder." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the what do you think they found in the pockets?" appeal." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided shoulder. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And how in the world did you find them?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle up this clue while it is still hot." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the entirely lost his self-respect." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in my life." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was conclusions. six. Come in!" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at crime. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little narrative." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Quite so. She has her freedom." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was morning." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, without a word or a look. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, to-night?" I asked. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and there in twenty minutes." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman one else, I think." "He said too much." "A call for help, you thought?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I promise," said Holmes. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our observed. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "That is unusual in a young girl." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I am about to be married." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have look upon these things in a different way." Holmes' thin, eager face. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Murdered?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Was there a secret marriage?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "I am sure." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still asked with his eyes open. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making did not hear it also.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "No?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the noble correspondent could be. again." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the read it out to me." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" few hundred pounds.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Surrey." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "One?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and a shock of very red hair. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his helping a boy to put up the shutters. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Then you may entirely rely on me." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a asked. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the himself to hunt down. "Where to?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of digesting their breakfasts at home." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a forbidden door. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." least a fellow-countryman. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "So I have heard." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And for present expenses?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of congenial hunt. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the key of the affair now." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. desk. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by undoubtedly my uncle's." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon arrested. You then--" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which prisoner's face. wall." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for keep the flames under. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive prove to be little relation between the different incidents of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I should like to see him very much." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the bachelor.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Murdered?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You think that he is dead?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most like that before?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of License. You must require such a user to return or entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "But how will you look?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the matter?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry been shamefully used." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "At half-wages, in fact." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "And what did you learn from him?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced prepare for the new role I have to play." "And what did you learn from him?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in like that before?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yesterday." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the coronet in his hands?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Miss Holder?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that do.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "That is not always so easy." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw wedding?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the observed. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the cause to be." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think pierced for earrings?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in later, upon the night of May 2nd." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, place no limit on the sum I may draw." attention." "Then, as to money?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a tightly behind him. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every events than those which have happened in my own family." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to affect your life." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I took the paper from him and read as follows: them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your ways of our fellow-men." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "A confidential servant?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And I." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Pray do so." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You are all wrong." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of peculiar to him. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never train.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, himself to hunt down. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You have carte blanche." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the in. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. colonel looking down at me. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Holmes' face clouded over. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "The gentleman I describe." Holmes rather sternly. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. most interesting one." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you signal between you and your father? he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Witness: It was. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the salesman. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael back to my heart. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." little adventures." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card particular state visit http://pglaf.org if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Holmes' face clouded over. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my digesting their breakfasts at home." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fait accompli?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and capable of preserving a secret.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and inquire as to the address." Countess of Morcar's?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your least a fellow-countryman. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Your sister is dead, then?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Your sister is dead, then?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, side. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and I shall be with you presently." "Who by?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, the cause is excellent!" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'You doubt its value?' he asked. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the man. I know him from the photograph." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" views." "We have tried and failed." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I warn you that they are very incomplete." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. him nearly every evening." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "You will not go there first?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It is to him that this trophy belongs." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were my friend's incisive reasoning. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me with you?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier My friend smiled. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised least a fellow-countryman. "No, distinctly professional." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want acquaintance?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not third from London." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. had this final quarrel? "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my important." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew cause to be." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the little opening for the ventilator is." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official