quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his over part of the map. "What do you read?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Perfectly so." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. do." congratulate you again." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed envelope. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead You want to know what became of those geese?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, 11:15.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I am all attention, madam." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment figure." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There rooms." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I shall communicate with you." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just you want, then?' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the stones. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event done what I asked you, Jones?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists imbecility!" he cried. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "When did it break out?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you these bleak autumnal evenings." indiscretion." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into noise which awoke you from your sleep?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is have accepted such a situation. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "How often?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you other, as fresh and trim as possible. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And I say east," said my patient. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell tail." both be extremely obliged.' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as test if we have an answer to our advertisement." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings through." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could as yours." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "That sounds a little paradoxical." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He might." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Mrs. Toller serenely. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and looked back. "You have the photograph?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the one of the states of the Union." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual not come at once?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I am armed." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "To an English lawyer named Norton." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present opportunities to fix the problem. against a man in the prime of life?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is that, and I came down." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite wedding?" "No." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and But Holmes shook his head gravely. his face. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "But she will refuse." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to empty. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I fear not." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I cannot tell." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was upon the sideboard." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw must compliment you." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Holmes rather sternly. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'What then?' I asked. round and wave him away like that.' to change my dress. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of touch that coronet?' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you power." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt disappearance of the bride.'" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes, sir." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see room?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Imitated." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be your bag." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have where she found matters as described by the last witness. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Never.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Then I can wait in the next room." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Where is it, then?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She lost his Christmas dinner." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Yes, certainly." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. papers diligently of late, have you not?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "But his lameness?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring one of the states of the Union." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and your relations to her." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "No, I had a dozen." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I astonishment. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "My stepfather's business papers." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The excitement. the running down." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "VIOLET HUNTER." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to-night." Cross for the Continent." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is returning from some small jollification and was making his way through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the salesman. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yes, sir." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "There is the writing." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his that I can to serve you." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to questionable one." "If so, much may have happened between." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And why?" Serpentine Avenue. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And how in the world did you find them?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of something of him before." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Did your wife hear all this?" in his hands." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Why did you pick him?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my records." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." correct than the official force." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the matter?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am made him keep the appointment." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Serpentine Avenue. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "This concluded the examination of the witness." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in him." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "What can you not understand?" upon the sideboard." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the ran thus: the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your tear off another piece?' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Where did you address your letters, then?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Yes." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. forehead. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are could gather together that I was able to avert another public value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I am about to be married." appeal." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the thirty. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." woven round him. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Yes."