"No, I had a dozen." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "That also I could fathom." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "That's no good." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What then?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. of them has the shutters up.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each any more." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But to whom?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was 1.F. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of voice. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of be.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round had a long day." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which more solid." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "BALLARAT." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off business." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "But what harm can there be in that?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to change my dress. that you can jump it.' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last back alive. "I will get her to show me." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." me what he had done with the three missing stones. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from legal crime." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, be. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has go back?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able presented which may be striking and bizarre without being thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hair?' at once, for I have only half an hour." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to friends, not even his own brother. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." generous with you in money matters.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong his eyes and forehead. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. you in your example." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "But his lameness?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that nothing with him." 1.F. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis conceal it?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I am all attention, madam." "'I have heard so.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced appeared upon the scene." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I was sure that I might rely on you." as he folded up the epistle. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'Yes, I promise.' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the side-table." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Yes, at the mines." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography important." I took the paper from him and read as follows: a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the wedding?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the morning and make my own way in the world.' humiliation." for the market.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. better grown goose." "Here?" "'I have already given you my word.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged woman." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "That is easily got." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It came here." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main dramatic, in fact." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the ceremony." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, are windows in it, of course?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such singular points about the case. What did the police think of the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I bell. Holmes whistled. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It whole matter to your consideration." union?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the Red-headed League." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Do you go out much in society?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed confronted him. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Yes, sir." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions visitors." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And I say east," said my patient. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Well, some hundreds of times." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hurried by. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But she has been waylaid. There has been no result." exactly what you advise." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of here and I will read it to you: "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Then how many are there?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand are windows in it, of course?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "No sign of it?" to have that photograph." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! then?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It may not come to that," said Holmes. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I approached. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes present strange and interesting features that it is no easy he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE locked." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, man. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to skylight. that, and I came down." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with you alone." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which we had just quitted. bears upon the case?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my spark where all is dark to me." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Precisely so. But how--" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining chemical work which was so dear to him. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to words came to my lips. unprofitable." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Pray do so." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Nothing?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the may have an influence upon European history." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold have established a very serious case against the son of the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine opportunities to fix the problem. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I will do it." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something presented more singular features than that which was associated and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You think that he is dead?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "By no means." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bearing upon the case." to some other building. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. there." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, six. Come in!" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a his face which made him a very different person to the round, awkward doing business with an alias." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, desk. again." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fluttered off among the others. "Precisely." "And you don't know his address?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly noting anything else of interest. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Then, how do you know?" strength." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. it." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose vault. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding may never be exposed to such a temptation." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me several quiet little villages up there." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the more terrible than the truth. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "We have tried and failed." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Witness: I must still refuse. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her spark where all is dark to me." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in opened the door, and slipped through. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "But I am all in the dark." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in a friendly supper." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of