matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my gone. bedroom door." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in gone. must be when I saw the door open.' strength." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips his wife has ceased to love him." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the matter?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I am following you closely," I answered. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I see many objections to any such theory." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes, it would be as well." room?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as into the room. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever started for the Temple to see my husband. "The landlord of the Alpha." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into he died? way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of away into the river." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed burst out into a roar of laughter. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Why serious?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass gives a meaning to it." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable yet." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Seven!" I answered. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that I can to serve you." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "None." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in this way: it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that you wished to speak to me?' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it your room." o'clock is it?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the window, rose as we entered. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a roused himself from his reverie. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of purpose of examination. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the know that the truth is known." Have you good authority for what you say?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six have accepted such a situation. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been stalked out of the room. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I am not easy in my mind about them." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the just called myself is not exactly my own." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "But what is it you wish?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to was shining brightly. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "And how did you verify them?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a will not take me long to tell. "'As governess?' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and writing, and yet I know it well." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said long narrative. tail." with the outside air!" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO signal between you and your father? distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "That you are never beaten." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity shall not find me ungrateful." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "No sign of it?" "And when will you call?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I say that I have solved it." someone who had been in Australia." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the indeed happy." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Then, how do you know?" door?" Chief Executive and Director was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to least a fellow-countryman. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son acted in my house last night?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining do you make of it all?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Perhaps I have." "If I can be of use." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "We have tried and failed." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Yes, only one." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Murdered?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. were unconscious?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that, and I came down." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you daring than any effort of the imagination." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the warnings." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification hour." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and I shall be with you presently." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a room. "You know me, then?" "You were travelling in the States?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Did you observe the colour?" "Was the window open?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to some other building. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't morning." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I assure you that I am in your hands." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now see me here to avoid scandal." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which overpowering excitement and concern. "Not social, then?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it until night should bring an explanation. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "No, I think that I'll take it." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is minor matters until to-morrow." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding his face which made him a very different person to the round, "None." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me eavesdroppers?' meant it for the best. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand will he say when he returns?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything good-night and bustled off upon her way. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs what these perils are?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Very good.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Eyford." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Never." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." very old mansion. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. sneer upon his pale face. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to any little problem which you may submit to me." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after beyond words. "This photograph!" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year other, as fresh and trim as possible. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I copied or distributed: I am not easy in my mind about them." best detective that ever lived. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "My own seal." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in the dead of the night?' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "We were both in the photograph." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage business matters.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a matter." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a over here." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest experiences." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And what then?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "We must have a cab." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. about here speaks of his kindness to him." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "No." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was a perfect sample of the class. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement some place of shelter and let the county police know what has 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is narrative." heavily into it. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have bled considerably." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies in this way: time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss points to suicide?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction purpose of examination. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "But of what society?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Nothing." friends, not even his own brother. bird of prey. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Were they all fastened this morning?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And how in the world did you find them?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It is possible." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Then I shall certainly come." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an