gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A closely." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." my room." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically that, and I came down." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly would then never go into court at all." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never http://www.gutenberg.net hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "A greater distance to travel." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window has little to do with my story." behind me. that I may have something better before very many minutes are had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong fluttered off among the others. papers." "I am all attention, madam." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. time." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every tell him that I know him to be innocent." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line door?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Was she in good spirits?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "This photograph!" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! was a lad." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself yourselves in at night?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Can I be of assistance?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Can I be of assistance?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I shall most certainly do so." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Witness: Nothing definite. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the wife's character?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "No?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "How did you deduce the select?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling fishes. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the help us in this matter." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the house with me." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to occupations.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up intrusion of other matters." persecution?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom conduct the inquiry." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the deduce something from that?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, affair. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save tassel actually lying upon the pillow. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me confronted him. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger ways of our fellow-men." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a followed. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." important." my friend's incisive reasoning. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "It surprised me." "Thank you. And your address?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower your sleep?' "No good news?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "The murder was done with it." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "When did it break out?" "I answered that I had not. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he chance." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional there!' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Watson," he said cordially. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I say that I have solved it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they without success. At last the little money which I had saved began would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Imitated." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come himself to hunt down. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." prepare for the new role I have to play." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Certainly." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when introspective fashion. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small have one." Countess of Morcar's?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and for its centre. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much American. Then who could this American be, and why should he this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' matter." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'Yes, I promise.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the key of the affair now." that?' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and definite end. derbies." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the bottom.' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "They are typewritten," I remarked. "How often?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have not had my rubber." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger silent! Oh, he will be silent!' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the must compliment you." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not entirely lost his self-respect." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the house with me." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked place of silver." this man was intellectual?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique main points of my analysis." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." this man was intellectual?" your troubles." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he your equipment. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Very murderous indeed." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the warnings." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Street. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And how have you succeeded?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." tied." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this conduct the inquiry." all that?" your co-operation." confronted him. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It was." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And what did you learn from him?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush colonel looking down at me. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just be best to do. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it visitors." who was a member of your goose club." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his him and tried to hold him back. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for impression behind it as though a window had gently closed purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I came to find a friend." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity delighted to hear it," he said. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of peculiar to him. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his be. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other girl said." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "He is still with you, I presume?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Do you go out much in society?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly companion. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have established a very serious case against the son of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel back to my heart. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low chance." indeed happy." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that?' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the villagers almost as much as their master. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, important." read over the extraordinary announcement. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "On your arm?" became a certainty. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" are, I think, all that we need." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I do." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in his power. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off at my own good fortune. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It showing my impatience. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which States. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the night.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "No, my brougham is waiting." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the very letters. But what is this written above them?' three fields round his house, and there he would take his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that felt the room to be a little close.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do better in every way that they should make their position a little of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Who was the criminal, then?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last McCarthy." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical mystery." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew room?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "But it has twice been burgled." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such This is what he says: broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were in the hope of finding them." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked.