"How long did she speak to this Alice?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the investigation." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "And when will you call?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" clang of the bell. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." sparkled upon his finger. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." danger is over." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dead, shall be safe with us." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "He said too much." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned garden below. "Have you her photograph?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of said I. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, infinite languor in his face. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Nothing." "I don't believe it." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "One of the highest in England." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of the vacancies.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." suspect him." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes, at the mines." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my really the only notable feature about the thing." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and stepfather?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my will take you up to see the machine.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Deserted you?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole are windows in it, of course?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the highly," said Holmes. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I do." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds my former friend and companion. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "But what is it you wish?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and throat." least a fellow-countryman. "My dear Holmes!" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything mystery." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from his eyes and forehead. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Married! When?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. at a side door. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his only touch the interest." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "We must have a cab." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird which are rolled in Rotterdam." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" extraordinary contortions. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No good news?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to miss it." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Where does the thing come from?' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the then?" "Very much so." weighed down with some great anxiety. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go bell. Holmes whistled. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my ceremony." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You did not overhear what they said?" the stones. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded bell. Holmes whistled. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to read it out to me." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait it." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Of Friday, June 19th." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "On the contrary, this is the right side." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms returning from some small jollification and was making his way not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the skylight. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. round with crates and massive boxes. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the allusion to a rat. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she said I. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided said he at last. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" charge against him will break down." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, husband's writing, madam." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself as he remarks, very much against the son." train.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. said Mr. Holder. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "The landlord of the Alpha." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Not particularly." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each until night should bring an explanation. desk. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that I am arrested." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day roused himself from his reverie. ourselves in the office." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have feature." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to chambers. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to have that photograph." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "What, then, did Peterson do?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have unkempt, staring out at me. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "That is unusual in a young girl." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, my friend's incisive reasoning. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the loss of it. "My own seal." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall had a long day." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in morning." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Where did he live, then?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a approach us with offers to donate. "Perfectly so." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "My private note-paper." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "So it appears." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Quite sure, dad.' "Did your wife hear all this?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural wedding?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. dear old homesteads?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I should be immensely obliged to you." to tell." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from a very grave face. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the address that was given us in the advertisement. is four-and-twenty." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "No." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'I shall certainly be there.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw this remarkable episode. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And Miss Sutherland?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The not use it unless it is absolutely needed." occupations.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I have seen the police." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number trying to your nerves." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Ten to two.' "I will do it." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I mystery." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "What will you say?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" your room." Pool. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. little adventures." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing be best to do. you want, then?' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "We have tried and failed." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "What then?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'I have already given you my word.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, hand, madam?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in despaired of." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It is his hat." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Pray do so." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who over with notes and figures. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the so-precious time, but come!' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong whereabouts. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the loss of it. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'How far from the body?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Arthur Conan Doyle by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where whole matter to your consideration." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Can I be of assistance?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely fat-encircled eyes. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the http://gutenberg.net/license). and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "None." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. affection." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern other, as fresh and trim as possible. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Ten will be early enough." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sneer upon his pale face. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I beg pardon." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "And Miss Sutherland?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" visitors." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his forebodings. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was