"And why?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Have you her photograph?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the little opening for the ventilator is." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was your billet.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this as likely?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to affect your life." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would conclusions. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed purpose equally well?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Foundation "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the matter." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was used.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Bought." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told how narrow had been my escape. wedding?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well, but China?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your bearing upon the case." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Very good.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the gone. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But who is he?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to open." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He was feeling which was the fattest.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency of it with the greatest attention. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I nodded to show that I had heard. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And what did you learn from him?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her vault. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and over here." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to Leatherhead. "Perhaps I have." appeared upon the scene." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through status with the IRS. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such way: salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Then, how do you know?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or never will be, entirely cleared up. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and acted in my house last night?" points to suicide?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." matter over." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it is acting for the best. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You think that he is dead?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he rose-bushes. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely lumber-room." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do go--none." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a come either from the window or the door. My attention was works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to enter Dr. Roylott's room." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I assure you that I am in your hands." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. kind enough to tell me what I should do." nothing of it?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light should be so warm over such a trifle." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to is," said he presently: against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some went to the Alpha were town bred." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. village inn over there?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said that he will be back before evening." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Which are?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "BALLARAT." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of never to learn it at all." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he should be so warm over such a trifle." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "This concluded the examination of the witness." "That is possible." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, certainly not very gracious." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself lectures into a series of tales." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and delighted to hear it," he said. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition know what is wrong with it.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white third from London." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with that threaten you." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "We were both in the photograph." to a more successful conclusion." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." do.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, back into the street. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and weapon." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. room. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the Friday. Was it to be in church?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that had died away into the silence from which it rose. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Certainly." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Never.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Not at all. I only doubt--' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Frequently." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I have hopes." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Entirely." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than III. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "A call for help, you thought?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both lamp in his hand. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the if I call to-morrow?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. upon the white wrist. "Then I do not see the point." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. been deceived." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And it is--" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what some mystery and the punishment of some crime." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most directors, with the result that you have seen." few hundred pounds.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have way in everything. in one or two places in England?' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was south, for the country is more deserted there." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "No, I think that I'll take it." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Yes, I promise.' that you can jump it.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; entirely lost his self-respect." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. from you?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I upon the white wrist. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. chamber." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You are hungry," I remarked. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and no precautions can guard against." business at Coburg Square is serious." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in DISSOLVED. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank wall." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Not particularly." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bearing upon the case." extraordinary contortions. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his have one." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No sign of it?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have went to the Alpha were town bred." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man some city in a dream. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I will, Miss Turner." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hair?' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always could not account in any way for the presence of the missing has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Was he the only applicant?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, of campaign. "I answered that I had not. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The an introduction to him?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and shall use the carriage to-night." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been