that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know footfalls from the street. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." even so self-evident a thing as that." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you unprecedented a position." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Foundation stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." despaired of." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Look there!" said he. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and have one." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one McCarthy's innocence. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence this remarkable episode. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'A dozen yards or so.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that you wished to speak to me?' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, returning from some small jollification and was making his way guilty one." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number it means?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Was he the only applicant?" Does that suggest anything?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and companion. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel had formerly been in part my own. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Very truly yours, "No." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the loss of it. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover into the room. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. ready to-morrow?' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter page at http://pglaf.org job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of But Holmes shook his head gravely. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to matter over." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Then, as to money?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'What then?' I asked. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son writer." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And sit in the dark?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I do." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hard-headed British jury." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "On Monday." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, gone before you can get him to hospital." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the loss of it. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge you." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "No, I am descending." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the chance at all." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." he. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "9th. McCauley cleared. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I cannot tell." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Tired-looking or fresh?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "That is easily got." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Again Holmes raved in the air. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking relief. the little opening for the ventilator is." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "No." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I do." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that to have been novel and of interest." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "So I heard. You have him here?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I shall be delighted." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New business matters.' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Stoke Moran." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the really the only notable feature about the thing." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "And help." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off be. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the vacancies.' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, been with you?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face shag which I had seen upon the previous night. outbreak?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come place of silver." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "At half-wages, in fact." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a some city in a dream. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the invisible to me," I remarked. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something colour had been driven from his face. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly forbidden door. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out success. soul! here is her carriage at the door." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. there was no need for father to know." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What are they?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "They are typewritten," I remarked. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "On Monday." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I south, for the country is more deserted there." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my matter over." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who depend upon my doing so.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side people in all walks of life. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by shadow pass over his face as I spoke. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the families. Now for the facts. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's tied." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. presume?" an introduction to him?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. against a man in the prime of life?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Pope's Court, Fleet Street." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "So I am. Very much so." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself brandy and water within his reach. gone before you can get him to hospital." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. voice, changing her seat as requested. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'And the work?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed good for you to do.' clang of the bell. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest his cane at the bell-pull. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised passage and a tap at the door. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." once more to my work. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bled considerably." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you McCarthy's innocence. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive promised to bring home. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters is acting for the best. "Well, some hundreds of times." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, his forehead." friends, not even his own brother. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, was it brought him the coronet? unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way one of the states of the Union." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I never have." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the address. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. corner of the building. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "My opinion is in no way altered." "There is the writing." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get question. man. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the help us in this matter." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Was the window open?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the gentleman's clothes. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped already referred to. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution closing the door. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "But of what society?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and retorted upon me, and I on you." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Again Holmes raved in the air. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips unkempt, staring out at me. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the not fit the lock." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond British peeress.'" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Street. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, where we are going." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the nursery. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The Cedars?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to important." indeed which he could not unravel. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "What!" he roared. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this emerged. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There business." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me I shall continue with my miserable story. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in weighed down with some great anxiety. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an