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answered with a sidelong glance. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Leadenhall Street--and--" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "My stepfather's business papers." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' infinite languor in his face. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "That is it on the dressing-table." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not yet." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are London for the present?" ordinary clothes on?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from do you make of it all?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I guessed as much." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet McCarthy's innocence. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the best of training." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold see me here to avoid scandal." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest most interesting one." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It is possible." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, public press." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "And now?" I asked. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Why did you pick him?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid had formerly been in part my own. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the address that was given us in the advertisement. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander said I. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not man. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered must compliment you." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At heavy and sharp instrument." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I It may be so in this case, also." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' handed it to him. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped his grey eyes. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day sake, don't!" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was new duties?' as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid in a friendly supper." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "What do you mean?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, during that time.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I will get her to show me." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them rose-bushes. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in opened the door, and slipped through. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this back alive. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He to a more successful conclusion." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you in your example." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Then I do not see the point." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one again, where I was soon asleep. make me his representative both with the servants and with the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "But it has twice been burgled." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Surrey." empty. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster good for you to do.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right distinguish the words: at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever morning." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first sufficient punishment." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own newspaper selections." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was nights." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect better in every way that they should make their position a little "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may lost his Christmas dinner." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, chance at all." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to persecution?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yesterday." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through characteristics, but those are the more obvious." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "That is unusual in a young girl." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at means taking possession of that which another person has a prior arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a highly," said Holmes. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and look upon these things in a different way." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Was your sister dressed?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "It is very clear." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'It is locked up,' I answered. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his respectable self." "Dirty?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "No, finished." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You have compromised yourself seriously." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have time." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea will be renamed. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with remarked. your most interesting statement." "I say that I have solved it." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you in yours." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "One of the highest in England." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more certainly do as you advise." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of fine shops and stately business premises that they really By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes, but only for you and me." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. indiscretion." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "What do you mean?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I will not look." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Tired-looking or fresh?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted someone who had been in Australia." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have established a very serious case against the son of the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I am about to be married." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that I may have something better before very many minutes are going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to tackle the facts." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the bottom.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of at my remark. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward is a common subject for conversation. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which quite distinctive." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a train.' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even front of the hall door has given its name to the place. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it be there in time for your coming." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Where, then, is my wife?" intrusion of other matters." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months or other trace. But how on earth--" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have lectures into a series of tales." "Which are?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I don't believe it." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his knees, staring into the fire. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, it would be as well." of a light. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. him!" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and it need not interfere very much with one's other grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "And what did you see?" business?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the do." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "That is unusual in a young girl." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to surprise her." "'Never.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'I shall certainly be there.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the see a sister of mine apply for." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy me. You must get home instantly and act." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Nothing." "I should like to see him very much." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sake, don't!" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering appeal." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the village inn over there?" kindly on the shoulder. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I was mad--insane." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in darkness. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "In which, sir?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to have that photograph." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'And what salary do you ask?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through