the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "What is it?" "'There is a drive, then?' "I have hopes." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in anything to do with the matter?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Not social, then?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are roused himself from his reverie. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But how will you look?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they sound at heart." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "The best possible." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and a shock of very red hair. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing closely." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a there has been an enclosure here!" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I digesting their breakfasts at home." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it appeal." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four depend upon my doing so.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to photograph?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. quick march!" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fat-encircled eyes. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to interests were the same as his." some terrible trap for her." "From his hat?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Holmes. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the did not hear it also.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been weapon." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door little trying to do so much typewriting?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "The vanishing of the lady." charged with?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the with her." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "But she will refuse." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the inquest, and which are worth considering." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible colonel looking down at me. not within a twentieth part of the market price." Holmes' room. Countess of Morcar's?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "What shall I do?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "By train from Waterloo." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." up this clue while it is still hot." woman." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and appeal." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this grasp, he hurried from the room. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the loss of it. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" leaning back in his chair. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, should be so warm over such a trifle." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not go--none." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a should be taken.' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of like gravel from a pit.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a signal between you and your father? are, I think, all that we need." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you new duties?' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have address. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them intimate personal affairs in this public manner." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter a suggestive one." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the key of the affair now." or other trace. But how on earth--" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a even so self-evident a thing as that." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Have you her photograph?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" done what I asked you, Jones?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, redistribution. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: about. "Has he come with you to-night?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Yes, certainly." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I should be immensely obliged to you." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Was he the only applicant?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if business at Coburg Square is serious." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian morning." "You horrify me!" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young more solid." noting anything else of interest. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the examine." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "And is that all?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do James Windibank. Voilà tout!" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a there has been an enclosure here!" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do meant it for the best. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got upon a handsome competence. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' outbreak?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram emerged. "Certainly." than was visible to me." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I am about to be married." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Your sister is dead, then?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan brain must have something in it." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Well, but China?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "It came here." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his it were putty." "It is possible." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "If so, much may have happened between." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in him." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." with some details as to your case." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I came to find a friend." "I will do it." "Then you may be so with me." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds article?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** in one or two places in England?' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and are, and they are waiting for us." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that rose-bushes. get the tickets." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "We were both in the photograph." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, undoubtedly my uncle's." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was dear old homesteads?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I approached. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual triumphant cloud from his cigarette. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It surprised me." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know there were so many in the whole country as were brought together difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the my friend's incisive reasoning. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I have it here in my museum." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Yes." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he prepare for the new role I have to play." The summons was a brief and urgent one. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Seven!" I answered. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "At the wedding breakfast." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an questioning and rather startled gaze. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the tell me that you intended to go into harness." obstinate." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some is acting for the best. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Thank you. Pray proceed." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you want, then?' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in copied or distributed: roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in the dead of the night?' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Where, then?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "No, my brougham is waiting." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "No, I had a dozen." face and glided from the room. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "And leave your case unfinished?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? walking." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "How about poison?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the as noiselessly as she had come. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to