"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. rose-bushes. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But you were on a friendly footing?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the very morning of the wedding." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "My dear Holmes!" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My learned something! Where are the gems?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "May I see it?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But how?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of go back?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be light and attacked it." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire your room." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "And the murderer?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "What shall I do?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong you?' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I am sure." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the him to go away.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "To ruin me." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Then how many are there?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced pressing in one house as in another. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "May I see it?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Eh? What was that?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted peculiar to him. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sufficient punishment." "My opinion is in no way altered." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "No, I think that I'll take it." asked. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the memory. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Of Friday, June 19th." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Yes." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But his lameness?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. colonel looking down at me. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as business at Coburg Square is serious." This is what he says: money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much because she had spent so short a time in this country that she that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had than to us. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said he at last. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I shall communicate with you." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the remarked. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Precisely." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to locked. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly least a fellow-countryman. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" noting anything else of interest. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the rat could hardly pass through." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its fattened it expressly for you.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, that he will be back before evening." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I unclasping of his long thin hands. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Did your wife hear all this?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Then I shall certainly come." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the was keenly on my guard against him. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Very good.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little brought there to personate someone, and the real person is secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless father's young wife. "And did you observe any change in her then?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "But I have heard all that you have heard." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Never." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "He said too much." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Pope's Court. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never quick march!" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "The knees of his trousers." locked." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It is a murder, then?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother highroad, where all traces were lost. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "It looks newer than the other things?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Certainly not.' British peeress.'" stepfather?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "It is a murder, then?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question dead, shall be safe with us." "What!" he roared. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I fear not." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Her father is very rich?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You have compromised yourself seriously." Doctor, of the paper and the date." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Count Von Kramm." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works get her out of the way." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of like gravel from a pit.' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "And the murderer?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up if she died from some sudden fright." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "No legal papers or certificates?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. orange pips. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. upon an income of about 60 pounds." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded unkempt, staring out at me. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, answer." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom advice." it with his own hands." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "The gentleman I describe." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone prepare for the new role I have to play." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers detained." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he intrusion of other matters." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Count Von Kramm." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Countess of Morcar's?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger use an arc-and-compass breastpin." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And I." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, once more. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the coronet at all injured?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this late!' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "There is the writing." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with tear off another piece?' "Of what?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg be best to do. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which woven round him. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "The best possible." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." all?" vanished into the darkness. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. appeared upon the scene." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It was." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little whether it answered to the description of any of their Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was skylight. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way clang of the bell. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the child." other means.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not ways including including checks, online payments and credit card methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a carriage. It was a chestnut." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "And from a noble client?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of campaign. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It is half-past ten now." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have nights." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right which was all perfectly true. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. strong and stiff." long narrative. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a them?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "My Mary? Impossible!" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that system of imprisonment?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "But he might be a bachelor." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain tear off another piece?' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely chill to my heart. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "What do you make of that, Watson?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses both be extremely obliged.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by do you make of it all?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes. He waved his hands."