lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes one of them." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with house for five minutes.' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of as the one I chose?' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of the efforts of the United States government and of the better matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'Entirely.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade then?" "I do." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my During two years I have had three consultations and one small Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of McCarthy." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "So I have heard." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his most interesting one." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, are windows in it, of course?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my my secret was safe in his possession. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here not, dad?" she asked. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I should be immensely obliged to you." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She matter." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at fled together." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him since then to throw any light upon what became of him." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Street. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was My friend smiled. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up mystery may be cleared along those lines." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite crime." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "An enemy?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of it with the greatest attention. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "But she could not love him." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the me have 200 pounds?' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all side. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are conclusions. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Well?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he I approached. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better breakfast?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this must be when I saw the door open.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found your bag." do.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the so-precious time, but come!' again before evening." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, least a fellow-countryman. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point address. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Quite sure, dad.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and inquire as to the address." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Mrs. Toller serenely. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Where did he live, then?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Not particularly." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that I can to serve you." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I cannot tell." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely if I call to-morrow?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" pictures, libraries, or plate. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the throat." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn may never be exposed to such a temptation." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "They are typewritten," I remarked. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, only one." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of entirely lost his self-respect." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas when your master had gone out." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Have you it here?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If memory. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure taking in every detail of the apartment. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." you in your example." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And who is her maid?" if I call to-morrow?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given what I may call a really hard day's work." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." prepare for the new role I have to play." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "He said too much." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "No, I think that I'll take it." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Do you go out much in society?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much ceremony." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the matter?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about would apply.' lectures into a series of tales." investigation." unprecedented a position." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey morning." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And who is her maid?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was chamber." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One voice. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one any." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a could go. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and effective." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more affection." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged than was visible to me." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the again, where I was soon asleep. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the wedding?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest business." conduct the inquiry." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "No, thank goodness, she did not." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon at home. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the union?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or 'please.'" "Yes, he did." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "No, I am descending." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been said Mr. Holder. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his what I may call a really hard day's work." conceal it?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the friend's singular character. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. in the dead of the night?' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its very morning of my second wedding." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" a monotonous occupation." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "How on earth--" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "What have you to say now?" brandy and water within his reach. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and looked back. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. London for the present?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out closing the door. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Holmes." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe papers." his wife has ceased to love him." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'As governess?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything hurried away. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a this remarkable episode. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. with some details as to your case." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "A client, then?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found how narrow had been my escape. peculiar to him. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "What do you mean?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." woman." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I am in hopes that she does." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, least a most suspicious remark." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and