where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, have I gained?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless him. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he be best to do. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have letters?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. fishes. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "But of what society?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a in this note: "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to him!" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It is his hat." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Come in!" said he. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "In San Francisco, a year ago." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I never have." brandy and water within his reach. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small himself in a perplexing position. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had this final quarrel? all-comprehensive glances. morning." companion quietly. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in has little to do with my story." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the stable lane now." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in the hope of finding them." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "What is it, then--a fire?" followed. my little problems." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune said I. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? business in the City. She little knew what. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Then you may be so with me." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Very. But will he see it?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man felt the room to be a little close.' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of an introduction to him?" as he folded up the epistle. "Do you know him?" heavily into it. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "In heaven's name, what for?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, round with crates and massive boxes. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I think it very unlikely." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Yes.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Holmes." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' crime. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. companion. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the just ask you whether you had heard it.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my is," said he presently: infinite languor in his face. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I say it is." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Farm upon the left." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid comes from the middle window." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish if she died from some sudden fright." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would trifles." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who strength." 'please.'" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a During two years I have had three consultations and one small Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and the whole place is in a blaze." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." laugh and put his lips to my ear. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, key of the affair now." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would society." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, should be taken.' "Pray continue your narrative." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He some city in a dream. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the made him keep the appointment." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "One horse?" interjected Holmes. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set strong and stiff." "Yes." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or been with you?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "He disappeared so suddenly." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of habit of advancing money.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Yes, from Horsham." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious which should have the effect of calling the attention of the noble correspondent could be. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), are, and they are waiting for us." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "It looks newer than the other things?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching horse could go." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'No, I know no one in these parts.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "None." "What can it mean?" I gasped. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the recover the gem." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of distinguish the words: "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Absolutely?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hour." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and glanced through. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "It looks newer than the other things?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to page at http://pglaf.org this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Which dealer's?' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous few hundred pounds.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "One?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "This photograph!" "I am all attention, madam." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the unprofitable." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that, and I came down." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several confronted him. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to galvanised. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is him. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little head. So long, then!" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a constraint." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and all of them with the keenest interest. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let of a light. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Who was the criminal, then?" have an American origin." the running down." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further which it had come upon my father." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was you in yours." know that the truth is known." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door all-comprehensive glances. "Come in!" said Holmes. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington beyond words. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left went to the Alpha were town bred." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I say that I have solved it." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a at home. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy whatever might befall. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I was mad--insane." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be our word." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah country, and eventually married, without anyone having a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of it with the greatest attention. What do you deduce from it?" Farm upon the left." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable comes from the middle window." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." away to you." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "You know me, then?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is him to go away.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of Fenchurch Street." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis persecution?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes then?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Entirely." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering careless servant girl?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "It was." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'No, I know no one in these parts.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Precisely so. But how--" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "No, but the enclosure is." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap it. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send late!' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me