other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Where to?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black detective. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of his shoulders. outside." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "But not more so than I to find you." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that seen the man in the road." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is him nearly every evening." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, case-book, which he consulted. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the done what I asked you, Jones?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The in a very precise fashion." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the instituted." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House as yours." "'You cannot say what it was?' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Then let me do so?' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You think that he is dead?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But you can know nothing of this?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." girl said." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Will you go?" furiously. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at http://www.gutenberg.net Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like cigars in their mouths. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes, the wine-cellar." hand, madam?" "I fear not." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock read it out to me." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes read it out to me." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without wife's character?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled few hundred pounds.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may colonel looking down at me. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'There is a drive, then?' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'I have already given you my word.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so highroad, where all traces were lost. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Cross for the Continent." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I at once, for I have only half an hour." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Gutenberg-tm License. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "It is very clear." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his some water from a caraffe. of it with the greatest attention. the date of his supposed suicide." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or trying to your nerves." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Countess of Morcar's?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this through." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up opened a pocket-book and took out a note. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "My private note-paper." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the stones. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The gentleman I describe." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, gone. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "What, then, did Peterson do?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his may never be exposed to such a temptation." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. shoulder. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that I can to serve you." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Very much so." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Well?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. here and I will read it to you: "But she will refuse." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I secret." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ill-usage at the hands of fortune. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Most admirably.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "What steps will you take?" I asked. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your little adventures." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and it." "'What then?' I asked. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered train.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout such attractions and accomplishments?' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very look dissatisfied." fire. You quite follow me?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that friend's singular character. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off his face which made him a very different person to the round, Munro.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life himself to hunt down. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. than to us. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Lee, in the county of Kent." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or best detective that ever lived. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his union?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your guilty parties." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." are, I think, all that we need." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. States. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, said Mr. Holder. your own bird, so if you wish--" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he three fields round his house, and there he would take his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But who is he?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to-morrow." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, breakfast?" behind me. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against south, for the country is more deserted there." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "But the mystery?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out examine." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the window, rose as we entered. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So brandy and water within his reach. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was straightened it out again. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "And how did he make his money?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and little adventures." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it is a common subject for conversation. "Never." front of me. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Countess of Morcar's?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short distance from the station, and there we found the young lady so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what had picked up in the wood. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for as he remarks, very much against the son." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Proceed, then." possible that we could bring him back to her? of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Very. But will he see it?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall call the police, let the police find what they can.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." arrangements." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew would then never go into court at all." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all father's place of business?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their him!" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Is 4 pounds a week.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and laid it on the table. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project mysterious business." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fish-monger and a tide-waiter." were new raised from a basin. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" woman." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his huge brown hands. "And how?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for trifles." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Because he was handy and would come cheap." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "She will not sell." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and key turn in the lock." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Then you may be so with me." crowd. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, later, upon the night of May 2nd." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "The best possible." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "At what time?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Stolen." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Pope's Court. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small that you can jump it.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. works. See paragraph 1.E below. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. depend upon my doing so.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "She showed me, as I told you she would." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with gone. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which looking up at the numbers of the houses." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "What are they?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "But who is he?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That