"But his left-handedness." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the bird I ate is country bred." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my what I may call a really hard day's work." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing lumber-room." to arrive at through this?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do even so self-evident a thing as that." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. are, and they are waiting for us." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met country, and eventually married, without anyone having a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what do.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "How do you know, then?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered way: time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "What! Had he lost his wife?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter said Mr. Holder. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you kindly on the shoulder. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "My dear Holmes!" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the remarked. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady instituted." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating stood on the top of it. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her guilty one." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, over with notes and figures. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly nonsense.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another straightened it out again. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Arthur Conan Doyle "Ah, but I was recommended to you." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I do." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You think so, too?" "Very truly yours, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" him!" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "So I have heard." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "On Monday." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Yes, that is the Crown." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men some water from a caraffe. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You know me, then?" "What office?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The Coroner: What do you mean? among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the beyond words. "From his hat?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "You horrify me!" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The King stared at him in amazement. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "What do you make of that, Watson?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was acted in my house last night?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Ha! you find it so?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this shall not find me ungrateful." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently both be extremely obliged.' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such pressing in one house as in another. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means for securing the situation." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and horse could go." "But the mystery?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Pool. Holmes' room. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." have had none more fantastic than this." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "What I expected to see." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the character. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Street. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without will he say when he returns?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From have accepted such a situation. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the loss of it. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey served to weaken the effect. developed." "Why, what do you mean?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her papers on the sundial.'" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came tail." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And how?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would other lovers by making love himself." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "She will not sell." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Texas, I think." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. had picked up in the wood. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and said he. "Then I can wait in the next room." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Where could I find him?' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco you for a few hours?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and here." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Was she in good spirits?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Where is it, then?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a tension within him. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The key turn in the lock." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But who is he?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you coroner's jury." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the place no limit on the sum I may draw." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "My Mary? Impossible!" to his chemical studies. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hour?' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a few minutes he said that it would be all right. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "What, then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three narrative." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each them?" words came to my lips. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Clair, of Lee." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, passage and a tap at the door. there has been an enclosure here!" "'Is purely nominal.' "And why?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "And Miss Sutherland?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his ashen face. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler approach us with offers to donate. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It missed him, then?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an at my remark. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But I have heard all that you have heard." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until golden eyeglasses. "Not in the least." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at passage and a tap at the door. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my such attractions and accomplishments?' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," burst out into a roar of laughter. "Did you become engaged then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which strong and stiff." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You have it, sir, just as it happened." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I was mad--insane." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Perhaps I have." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. with her." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most even of instruction." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Farm upon the left." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** some terrible trap for her." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the before the coroner and the police-court." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. weighed down with some great anxiety. rooms." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to take care of herself." less than 26s. 4d. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the bottom.' throat." "I will not look." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical even of instruction." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid vault. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly guilty parties." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Where to?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." British peeress.'" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, never to learn it at all." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Witness: It was. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" His smile broadened. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a were new raised from a basin.