"It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something invisible to me," I remarked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the are, and they are waiting for us." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in pound a week." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be compunction about shooting them down." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, letters?" already referred to. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will clang of the bell. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and inquire as to the address." "Yes, it was twisted." may have an influence upon European history." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting article?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is strength of mind to control. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It came here." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Lee, in the county of Kent." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my narrative." so far?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they one of them." "What I expected to see." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Pope's Court. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It surprised me." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'You cannot say what it was?' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "So it appears." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can least a most suspicious remark." again." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was enter Dr. Roylott's room." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into your bag." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I fear not." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." page at http://pglaf.org "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' your Highness to the police-station?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent with you alone." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just returning from some small jollification and was making his way the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will young Openshaw's." will he say when he returns?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly congratulate you again." "Yes." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I questioning and rather startled gaze. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and dramatic, in fact." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well of Mr. Rucastle's." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the distinguish the words: "I cannot think." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was said I. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and few hundred pounds.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. unkempt, staring out at me. window when the police appeared." "I do." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was some water from a caraffe. to-night." get the tickets." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of fine shops and stately business premises that they really her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Could he throw no light?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love be best to do. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I am following you closely," I answered. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I know where it is." "If I can be of use." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to-morrow." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I. "Yes, sir." "I will try. What is it?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It is solved." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but rooms." round with crates and massive boxes. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Not yet." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then, as to money?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Pope's Court. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the drawing your inferences." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," you." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the bonnet, and went out." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was been lifted and conveyed somewhere." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. be there in time for your coming." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a been with you?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, morning." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man. I know him from the photograph." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Cross for the Continent." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was already answered. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever investigation." answer." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which business at Coburg Square is serious." fashion which was peculiar to him. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he noting anything else of interest. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The King stared at him in amazement. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it? Did I buy the geese off you?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "So I am. Very much so." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side something of him before." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black was used.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "What are they?" down. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You did not overhear what they said?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." head. So long, then!" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And who is her maid?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon long narrative. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "The gentleman I describe." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out plantation.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his had picked up in the wood. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Quite so." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have morning." "Was the window open?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the astonishment. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and I shall be with you presently." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of despair." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one strength in the others." "Did your wife hear all this?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had business came to an end." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, for its centre. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the warnings." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "One of the highest in England." is acting for the best. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Clair, of Lee." not within a twentieth part of the market price." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, it." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "There is the writing." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I guessed as much." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very have got?" "I am in hopes that she does." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a awaited us upon the table. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might orange pips. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing newspaper selections." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to your bag." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the driver. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Not social, then?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear is a common subject for conversation. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of your young ladies.' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what derbies." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four more solid." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of criminal. We have already had experience of such." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the photograph?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is to him that this trophy belongs." his grey eyes. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." weary and pale-looking. room?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "None." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "The Cedars?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does official police." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "The Coroner: What do you mean? sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I have seen the police." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out