happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard strength." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Seven!" I answered. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "His face fell immediately. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You think so, too?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "On your arm?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have may have an influence upon European history." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." States. cigars in their mouths. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I nodded again. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the Red-headed League." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the his face which made him a very different person to the round, was keenly on my guard against him. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and heavily into it. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And him." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that used to be." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "That's no good." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who room had already been engaged for us. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I am about to be married." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'And the work?' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "And who is her maid?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the so-precious time, but come!' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "How on earth--" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fatally injured? that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" some terrible trap for her." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had in the port of London." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her It was close upon four before the door opened, and a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That on re-entering her father's house?" "Thank you. And your address?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." people in all walks of life. done what I asked you, Jones?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a do you make of it all?" page at http://pglaf.org revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where everything which you would wish to know." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the very morning of the wedding." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Yes, that is the Crown." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "And I to find an enemy." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, look dissatisfied." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my little trying to do so much typewriting?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Tired-looking or fresh?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. a room. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." upon the white wrist. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to always that they were such commands as a lady might with and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the already referred to. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at correct than the official force." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. up this clue while it is still hot." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "The murder was done with it." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "No?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between http://www.gutenberg.net Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, narrative." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "And why?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he once more on the important position which you have been fortunate said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This or other trace. But how on earth--" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Certainly not. But why?' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." experiences." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that threaten you." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "One of the highest in England." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Here?" Heh?' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Yes, from Horsham." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we American. Then who could this American be, and why should he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Countess of Morcar's?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my entirely lost his self-respect." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were said I. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Dr. Becher's." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. was already answered. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "None." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless your Highness to the police-station?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons province." should be so warm over such a trifle." "Certainly." nonsense.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Married! When?" how narrow had been my escape. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "He might." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When very morning of my second wedding." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my events than those which have happened in my own family." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a himself in a perplexing position. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down shall use the carriage to-night." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt maid will bring up your coffee." said he. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Absolutely?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the best of training." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain that you wished to speak to me?' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case o'clock is it?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she when you have done it." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "What, then?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and congratulate you again." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as spark where all is dark to me." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the point in the dark hollow of his hand. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And I to find an enemy." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and http://www.gutenberg.net he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Oh, yes, easily." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Was he the only applicant?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and held up the lantern and gazed about him. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, know what is wrong with it.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must undoubtedly my uncle's." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another be.' "I know where it is." once more. "'Is purely nominal.' his cane at the bell-pull. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Yes, sir.' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Your French gold?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a must be when I saw the door open.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the stable lane now." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I never have." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I cannot imagine." "'It is locked up,' I answered. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "How are you getting on?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the tragedy. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at gigantic client. next day. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding away to you." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Ample." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I held the little printed slip to the light. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with on re-entering her father's house?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, should be so warm over such a trifle." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to everything which you would wish to know." "'And the work?' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Count Von Kramm." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Why did you pick him?" in darkness. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the matter?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." generous with you in money matters.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I was certainly surprised to find you there." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" tell me that you intended to go into harness." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he For additional contact information: at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come sufficient punishment."