"It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you he. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, from the brougham. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his despair." just called myself is not exactly my own." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I am still in the dark." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an said Mr. Holder. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Quite so. She has her freedom." her also." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master business." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Certainly." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'I have already given you my word.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Precisely." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our horse could go." "I should like to see him very much." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before what is your own theory as to what took place?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all his knees, staring into the fire. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to-morrow." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he woven round him. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. floor. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "It goes to the housekeeper's room." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Oh, yes, easily." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him have I gained?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the matters immensely." "Certainly." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Was the window open?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm my little problems." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the he died? Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret what is your own theory as to what took place?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Where does the thing come from?' better grown goose." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "And how did you verify them?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a really the only notable feature about the thing." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'I shall certainly be there.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from to-night." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By no means." already referred to. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "No, I am descending." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a upon the shelf for the interim." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of good-night and bustled off upon her way. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations experiences." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up discontent upon his features. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No, my brougham is waiting." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice shoulder; "he's all right." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the you, my dear young lady?' Foundation hereditary King of Bohemia." better in every way that they should make their position a little down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend call the police, let the police find what they can.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Yes." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's with her." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from least a most suspicious remark." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and mystery." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "And did you observe any change in her then?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I don't believe it." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'A dozen yards or so.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I was mad--insane." "We have tried and failed." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Why? What do you mean?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and the church but not where the lady lived." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "He said too much." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I am to be neutral?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my is now desirous of getting those letters back." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Foundation go--none." the night.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about before, for it was considerably after midnight. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried hair?' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her constraint." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all security.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of writers could invent nothing more crude." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I am about to be married." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the devil!" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as during which he might have communicated with his friend the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the within hail.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Dr. Gregory B. Newby by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Have you her photograph?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look not, dad?" she asked. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a IS "Your presence might be invaluable." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, copied or distributed: way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my advice." Foundation "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." details." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "How do you know, then?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "He might." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his forehead." main points of my analysis." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most been able to understand it, in a very few words. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "At what time?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And now?" He raised his hand. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is solved." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "And sit in the dark?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in must compliment you." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes, it was twisted." during which he might have communicated with his friend the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and highroad, where all traces were lost. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far on in his house." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "What then?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "And that is--" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes interest. They are important, you understand, without being You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Nothing." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making upon the white wrist. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with power." he bowed and left the room without another word. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "A greater distance to travel." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of allusion to a rat. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Stolen, then." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "She showed me, as I told you she would." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "This concluded the examination of the witness." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." persecution?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Then you may be so with me." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each all?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were rooms." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Only as much as we can deduce." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Can I be of assistance?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and once more for Briony Lodge. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your writer." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project definite end. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; been lifted and conveyed somewhere." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with never came back." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It surprised me." "It was an hour's good drive." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. very old mansion. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the foot. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'I shall certainly be there.' "Entirely." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Then, how do you know?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Count Von Kramm." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. once more for Briony Lodge. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "A client, then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney you found me to-night--and running through the front room she The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some you?' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I will try. What is it?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and glanced through. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this thin, with a long, sharp nose?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about about.