Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and derbies." "Entirely." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' case before our client came into the room." straighten it?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, meant." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must entirely devoid of interest." really the only notable feature about the thing." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If house for five minutes.' "Then what has happened to him?" "And help." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Was your sister dressed?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself vanished into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he digesting their breakfasts at home." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the with frightened eyes at his accuser. better in every way that they should make their position a little sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and your troubles." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, his cane at the bell-pull. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, shoulder. "It looks newer than the other things?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, all." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And you can do nothing until then?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, back to my heart. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing http://www.gutenberg.net tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought waste of energy." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Quite so. She has her freedom." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I am in hopes that she does." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "To ruin me." "Quite so." constraint." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his redistribution. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Yes?" ready to-morrow?' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who face and glided from the room. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I will, Miss Turner." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the himself in a perplexing position. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and wait." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But I have heard all that you have heard." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You think so, too?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. works. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Literary Archive Foundation "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Where does the thing come from?' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign frequently gained my first real insight into the character of important." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "And leave your case unfinished?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's burst out into a roar of laughter. just ask you whether you had heard it.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and the whole place is in a blaze." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "What can you not understand?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing note?" "I am in hopes that she does." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "We have tried and failed." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You heard nothing yourself last night?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young test if we have an answer to our advertisement." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "That's no good." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which I could not give. He asked for Alice. yet." fear." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told fishes. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included might have a private word with us. think, you have already met." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they was keenly on my guard against him. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Lestrade of Scotland Yard." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had villagers almost as much as their master. Edgeware Road. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and that he would see to anything that turned up. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "It was." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but morning." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Does that suggest anything?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "That is unusual in a young girl." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "The King of Scandinavia." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every least a most suspicious remark." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I shall most certainly do so." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear him!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. whether it answered to the description of any of their without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "She showed me, as I told you she would." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You were travelling in the States?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for morning." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was forecastle of an emigrant ship. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can distinguish the words: subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "What office?" "It is very clear." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until down in his armchair and closing his eyes. sound at heart." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a stood on the top of it. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and I shall be with you presently." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "And help." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the secret." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "It is a murder, then?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our is a common subject for conversation. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the window, rose as we entered. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Now, then, what's the last entry?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Oh, the cause is excellent!" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and delighted to hear it," he said. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You are all wrong." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the warnings." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Not particularly." words came to my lips. gone before you can get him to hospital." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish enter into my head. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "If I can be of use." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him better in every way that they should make their position a little here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the so-precious time, but come!' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's time." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the from you?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." affair. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the less than 26s. 4d. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I cannot as yet see any connection." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'You doubt its value?' he asked. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself door?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the inner apartment." to-night's adventure." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. should be so warm over such a trifle." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pound a week." in the hope of finding them." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "9th. McCauley cleared. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a little more before I quite committed myself. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my It may be so in this case, also." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Game for a morning drive?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "My dear Holmes!" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of as this. Pray let me have the details." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and was lame." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Ten will be early enough." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "That's no good." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Perfectly so." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Then you may be so with me." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." for securing the situation." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "But what will you do?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I am sure." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project letters?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I am to be neutral?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "What is it, then--a fire?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the not within a twentieth part of the market price." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the