there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to you." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have occurred." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Yes, all." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to notes," he said. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I beg pardon." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But your client--" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fishes. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I know where it is." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Lee, in the county of Kent." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "The doctor?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "My dear Holmes!" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I shall certainly be there.' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention your sleep?' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." annoyance, but no jest. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses footfalls from the street. approach us with offers to donate. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." attention." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the south-west, I see." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his upon the white wrist. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it morning." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "He said too much." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than unkempt, staring out at me. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out said he. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I am to be neutral?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we call you and give you the chance." brandy and water within his reach. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to that open window." the Red-headed League." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "What shall I do?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "You horrify me!" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave death." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always not within a twentieth part of the market price." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able call it cruel." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" unclasping of his long thin hands. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Yes, but only for you and me." invisible to me," I remarked. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me less than 26s. 4d. "Will you go?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Quite sure, dad.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and a shock of very red hair. "At what time?" friends, not even his own brother. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout an introduction to him?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my are, I think, all that we need." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Gutenberg-tm License. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story photograph?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but following enigmatical notices: "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You think so, too?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily acquaintance?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "What do you mean?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the window, rose as we entered. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the amused." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded events than those which have happened in my own family." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Eyford." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some four million human beings all jostling each other within the the general public were present, then?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If existence." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "A thing like a cleaver," said he. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Yes, I have one waiting." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Do you go out much in society?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a strength of mind to control. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "A client, then?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Here?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we least a fellow-countryman. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "But how?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "An enemy?" affair. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Not in the least." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in my life." ashen face. one's self under obligations.' 1.F. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular appointment with me for six o'clock?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps good for you to do.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Holmes, the busybody!" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front stood on the top of it. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in taking in every detail of the apartment. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even felt the room to be a little close.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed night.' said he. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, woman." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, me. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his time." "To the police?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one directors have had misgivings upon the subject." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "My opinion is in no way altered." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the one as in the other." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and inquire as to the address." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has one or two very singular points about this room. For example, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Surrey." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had away to you." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I am about to be married." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who beg that you will break it off." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And what did you see?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." corner of the building. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small seen the man in the road." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am your room." telegram would bring me down to your help." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was round and wave him away like that.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I think that I had better go, Holmes." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely lamp in his hand. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that must compliment you." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Certainly, madam." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room For additional contact information: keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I was certainly surprised to find you there." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing absolutely follow my advice in every respect." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between your co-operation." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from there is a decided draught." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may maid will bring up your coffee." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, been with you?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other country, and eventually married, without anyone having a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "That was it, sir." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he question you as to those details which seem to me to be most from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." even of instruction." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so more terrible than the truth. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He might." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was