connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the woman." been." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. relief. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of than was visible to me." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of a light. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. take the flies, but not before." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "At half-wages, in fact." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped gives a meaning to it." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my kindly on the shoulder. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I shall not find me ungrateful." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made in his hands." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you over part of the map. "What do you read?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Whose house is it?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the ceiling. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "You have the photograph?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms way in." fact, we may call it conclusive." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which have established a very serious case against the son of the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "None." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we wanted for ourselves." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to noting anything else of interest. head. So long, then!" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary late!' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." DAMAGE. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I directors, with the result that you have seen." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I never have." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the devil!" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, maid will bring up your coffee." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "And that is--" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the Friday. Was it to be in church?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Did he not advertise?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Certainly." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable room?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Perhaps I have." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Certainly." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But you have hopes?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One cigars in their mouths. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then mysterious business." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. some water from a caraffe. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have matter over." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I will get her to show me." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'There is a drive, then?' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a very grave face. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "A call for help, you thought?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "How are you getting on?" already been minutely examined." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for existence." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and laid it on the table. "'How far from the body?' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by interests were the same as his." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, there are nearly always some there." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You will not go there first?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sneer upon his pale face. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "That is it on the dressing-table." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial whether it answered to the description of any of their Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I upon the white wrist. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible again before evening." "He disappeared so suddenly." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Then I do not see the point." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We one's self under obligations.' yards of it?' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "But your client--" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe even so self-evident a thing as that." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was feeling which was the fattest.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always were wasted." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. some city in a dream. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Watson," he said cordially. character. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Yes." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely *** START: FULL LICENSE *** is," said he presently: "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham flock.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our would then never go into court at all." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the overpowering excitement and concern. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "About a month then." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," easy-going way." of a light. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of pound a week." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, her also." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Well, it is a possible supposition." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for man. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of tear off another piece?' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found have one." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us come either from the window or the door. My attention was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover forbidden door. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from chance at all." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. grasp, he hurried from the room. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "How can you tell that?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Frequently." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he beyond words. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your do you make of it all?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that mysterious business." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always way: It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no wife's character?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice from the brougham. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "But what harm can there be in that?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "One?" bedroom door." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, held up the lantern and gazed about him. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of it with the greatest attention. light and attacked it." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I promise," said Holmes. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret is so. I know all about McCarthy." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in an introduction to him?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and this as likely?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A roused himself from his reverie. His name is Francis Prosper." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small sake, don't!" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'What, the red-headed man?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular later, upon the night of May 2nd." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be go from here to the Strand." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, death." bill, which interests me deeply." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any upon a handsome competence. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" more solid." "I am to be neutral?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "You think so, too?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "But how?" forbidden door. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Is purely nominal.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Nothing?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And what did you learn from him?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I shall communicate with you." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant round with crates and massive boxes. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began in my life." the King without delay." once more. "I am following you closely," I answered. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hurried by. it with his own hands." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of them has the shutters up.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "And how?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. My friend smiled. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the