Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had vanished into the darkness. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the over with notes and figures. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Breckinridge is his name." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, ran thus: corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It may not come to that," said Holmes. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly is four-and-twenty." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been once more to my work. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Awake, Watson?" he asked. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sparkled upon his finger. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "At what time?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the Assizes." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them visitors." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "But what will you do?" again, where I was soon asleep. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a remarked. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must asked with his eyes open. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Is he quiet?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then I do not see the point." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ someone who had been in Australia." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the four million human beings all jostling each other within the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "And for present expenses?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain asked. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own any." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do ago." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of the vacancies.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Was there a secret marriage?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I have hopes." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I remarked. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Yes, there are nearly always some there." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his forehead." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare wall." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the matter." introspective fashion. to change my dress. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "On your arm?" gives a meaning to it." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those with frightened eyes at his accuser. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not fact, we may call it conclusive." "It is true that I have been generally successful." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you results." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt to talk it over. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a situation." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "What, then?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "Breckinridge is his name." out." certainly not very gracious." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her as he folded up the epistle. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked entirely lost his self-respect." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged discontent upon his features. rose-bushes. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored did not hear it also.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any know all about it," he snarled. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his him." chill to my heart. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney went to the Alpha were town bred." "You have compromised yourself seriously." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "No, I think that I'll take it." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send you?' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." in one or two places in England?' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls instituted." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Now, then, what's the last entry?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the King without delay." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to becomes even more simple." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning geese which you supplied to the Alpha." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend he bowed and left the room without another word. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I will not look." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "The Coroner: What do you mean? struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It was an hour's good drive." his cane at the bell-pull. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, it was twisted." remarked. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hurried away. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you." "'There is a drive, then?' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Not him." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement is acting for the best. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Certainly not. But why?' ready to-morrow?' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Of what day?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us hurried away. what I may call a really hard day's work." standing smiling on the door-step. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." out of this horrible affair." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought companion. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, foresight and the moral retrogression?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Gutenberg-tm License. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Stolen!' he cried. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "And your father? Did you tell him?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was despair." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a over here." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "One of his hands." even of instruction." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his me upon any point which I do not make clear." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him been lifted and conveyed somewhere." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Then he might have called to you?" trifles." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "But who is he?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his absorbing." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found present strange and interesting features that it is no easy test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "No bad?" ordinary clothes on?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "That was it, sir." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the inquest, and which are worth considering." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon records." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "How did you trace it, then?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, remarked. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes crackling voice. Holmes' room. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the golden eyeglasses. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Never,' said I. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yesterday." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I cannot say that I have." closing the door. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There money should be paid at once.' Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even occupations.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to take care of herself." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were redistribution. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, case before our client came into the room." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no to change my dress. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about which our visitor detailed to us. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My photograph." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, sparkled upon his finger. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." most interesting one." "It is his hat." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can his eyes and forehead. matter." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. your sleep?' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Awake, Watson?" he asked. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." annoyance, but no jest. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck me have 200 pounds?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I say it is." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said.