deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and inquire as to the address." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a prison!" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You horrify me!" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "So I have heard." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and answered with a sidelong glance. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I shall most certainly do so." was a loud and authoritative tap. "But how?" figure." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "My own seal." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of Mr. Rucastle's." vanished into the darkness. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "And you don't know his address?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. your Highness to the police-station?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it amused." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he his grey eyes. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to friend's singular character. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows results." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her but preventing her from injuring another. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Entirely." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And you don't know his address?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed voice, changing her seat as requested. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are with you?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an do.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread interested in these little problems, and since you are good "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Watson," he said cordially. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the speckled band?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." did not hear it also.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated infinite languor in his face. "One of his hands." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "To ruin me." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and compunction about shooting them down." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness standing smiling on the door-step. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution leaning back in his chair. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I am armed." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is to him that this trophy belongs." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, emerged. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last pound a week." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Eyford at 11:15.' as he remarks, very much against the son." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." least a most suspicious remark." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo carriage. It was a chestnut." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Yes." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see newspaper selections." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to tackle the facts." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "And I." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that trying to your nerves." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door indeed happy." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of cheerful." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. lectures into a series of tales." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year his huge brown hands. "But how?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the loss of it. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which signal between you and your father? I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Bought." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that your sleep?' "And what then?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. on in his house." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which we had just quitted. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which said I. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His rose-bushes. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Of what day?" "Entirely." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate happened." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the towards the blaze. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the ceiling. It may be so in this case, also." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "No?" like gravel from a pit.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand speckled band?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can at a side door. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible him!" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "We have tried and failed." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "What!" he roared. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went she slowly sank and died without having recovered her persecution?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "And how did you find out?" "From his hat?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that I am arrested." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Count Von Kramm." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What I expected to see." such person." "But we can't all be." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'I shall certainly be there.' purpose equally well?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Where, then?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone name is different." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Yes." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or infinite languor in his face. him!" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the child." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and shall probably return to London by the evening train." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. there when the Rucastles went away." you in yours." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent page at http://pglaf.org "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and no precautions can guard against." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'I shall certainly be there.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across would apply.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And now?" I asked. I was concerned in it." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "That is not always so easy." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "They are typewritten," I remarked. I held the little printed slip to the light. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I your room." Surrey." father's young wife. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Why did you beat the pavement?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'Which dealer's?' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "No." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And you can do nothing until then?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Then, how do you know?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you fact, we may call it conclusive." help us in this matter." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the loss of it. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Holmes. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the Red-headed League." "How often?" "I should like to see him very much." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Stolen, then." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the warnings." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let a room. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See child?' before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying leave you to your papers for a little." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful husband's writing, madam." knowledge of the world." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Will you bet, then?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' back into the street. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened your own bird, so if you wish--" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his