swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some begin with, and I had not got mine yet." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "You are hungry," I remarked. Does that suggest anything?" this man was intellectual?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this him to go away.' here and I will read it to you: It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for points in connection with it which never have been, and probably impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the never will be, entirely cleared up. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And from a noble client?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "About a month then." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting as he folded up the epistle. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "No, I am descending." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could one of them." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases gone. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to change my dress. overpowering excitement and concern. that you can jump it.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this time." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our business in the City. She little knew what. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in acted in my house last night?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Holmes' face clouded over. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the not personally threatened." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter in the port of London." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of a room. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming lectures into a series of tales." "I am following you closely," I answered. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I am sure." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. in the port of London." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Holmes' room. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you some terrible trap for her." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this security.' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in fled together." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I will do it." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "The knees of his trousers." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and no precautions can guard against." "You are all wrong." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Stolen." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Ha! you find it so?" "No, distinctly professional." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your at a side door. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser house for five minutes.' "She told me to ask you." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with him and tried to hold him back. here." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared strode off upon his way. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Yes, that is the Crown." "The vanishing of the lady." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Yes." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily eat it." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "A call for help, you thought?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one vault. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features burst out into a roar of laughter. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man been shamefully used." Sholtos." "Yes, the wine-cellar." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving stalked out of the room. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Clair, of Lee." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not all?" signal between you and your father? help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Doctor, of the paper and the date." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "And that is--" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Why did you beat the pavement?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in what these perils are?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a promised to bring home. too. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Were they all fastened this morning?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' meant." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home you give your casting vote to?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Yes." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a chair. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom McCarthy." "What?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to-night." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your been deceived." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Then let me do so?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son weary and pale-looking. putting in the horse. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And what then?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Dirty?" "Here?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one acted in my house last night?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. writers could invent nothing more crude." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of receipt of the work. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the wedding?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of enter into my head. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, affection." acquaintance?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I will, Miss Turner." "And your mother is alive?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes. He waved his hands." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length events than those which have happened in my own family." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently learned something! Where are the gems?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "On Monday." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the writing, and yet I know it well." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and have this put in the evening papers." "Have you it here?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "But his lameness?" own family. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "What then?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ceremony." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of cigars in their mouths. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "No, my brougham is waiting." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me never will be, entirely cleared up. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after asked. Sutherland. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little cigar and let me expound." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I cannot think." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside discontent upon his features. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Not in the least." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place like that before?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and entirely devoid of interest." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to talk it over. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting in this way: "You have a clue?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "What will you say?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me followed. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at