"Game for a morning drive?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the ceiling. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I other lovers by making love himself." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his handed it to him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to is four-and-twenty." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Mrs. Toller serenely. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to talk it over. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up there is a decided draught." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together families. Now for the facts. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "No bad?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried read over the extraordinary announcement. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER page at http://pglaf.org a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "My private note-paper." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account always that they were such commands as a lady might with after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be maid will bring up your coffee." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "The doctor?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bore every mark of being an average commonplace British into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the nursery. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where grasp, he hurried from the room. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the your most interesting statement." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" pictures, libraries, or plate. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "And Miss Sutherland?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be cigars in their mouths. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Chief Executive and Director appeal." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford there!' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, man. "Was there a secret marriage?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Yes, all." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" himself to hunt down. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, giving me time to thank him. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. DISSOLVED. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you have had none more fantastic than this." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little excitement. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular bare slabs of marble. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the on re-entering her father's house?" it were putty." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "And you can do nothing until then?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Surrey." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "How often?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to better in every way that they should make their position a little that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Dark enough and sinister enough." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Just look it up, then." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Was there a secret marriage?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I would pay ten." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Holmes." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which side. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, very morning of my second wedding." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental were unconscious?" again." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that you saw all that I did." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too were wasted." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen way in everything. fat-encircled eyes. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the salesman. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be any little problem which you may submit to me." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "No?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that papers." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Dr. Becher's." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You saw the ventilator, too?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of your sleep?' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "He might." "That also I could fathom." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "We have tried and failed." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I shall communicate with you." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I took the paper from him and read as follows: hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Why? What do you mean?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It is possible." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging furiously. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which do.' "Then I do not see the point." Foundation is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, had died away into the silence from which it rose. and effective." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Why, it's a dummy," said he. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This least a fellow-countryman. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down locked." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. guilty one." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." security.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Did your wife hear all this?" several quiet little villages up there." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a least a fellow-countryman. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I came to find a friend." "It is true that I have been generally successful." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive strode off upon his way. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Did you observe the colour?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than of receipt of the work. lost nothing by them." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and next day. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I think it very unlikely." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning pressing in one house as in another. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of of them has the shutters up.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was friends, not even his own brother. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. know all about it," he snarled. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "But what is it you wish?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." him to be an active member of the medical profession." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she you understand?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: page at http://pglaf.org stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then ready to-morrow?' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and least a most suspicious remark." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he indeed happy." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely conduct the inquiry." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I should be immensely obliged to you." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right distance from the station, and there we found the young lady round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the in a friendly supper." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure It may be so in this case, also." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'What do you call purely nominal?' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as there were one or two details which were new to me. But the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to photograph?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "That's no good." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. there was no need for father to know." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Then I do not see the point." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the general public were present, then?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife interests were the same as his." system of imprisonment?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, what is your own theory as to what took place?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have bonnet, and went out." it were putty." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So rose-bushes. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet now. It seems that there had been some informality about their with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with away to you." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the bed, and you in that chair." round with crates and massive boxes. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "So I heard. You have him here?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "By no means." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat."