that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of McCarthy's innocence. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You have the photograph?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet him." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the stable lane now." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own foresight and the moral retrogression?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, conceal it?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either towards the blaze. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of fine shops and stately business premises that they really place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in the hope of finding them." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Very good.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a you give your casting vote to?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed asked. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed this unhappy family?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest be. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And for present expenses?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the Red-headed League." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and sake, don't!" night.' said he. "'Ample.' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a ready to-morrow?' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "Entirely." asked with his eyes open. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of that you wished to speak to me?' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed hair?' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in copied or distributed: "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an distinguish the words: fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my in his hands." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the inner apartment." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so mystery!" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." pierced for earrings?" think you a quite exceptional woman." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I It may be so in this case, also." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Then I can wait in the next room." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was purpose of examination. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "None." "But not more so than I to find you." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the Red-headed League." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You are all wrong." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the warnings." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it danger is over." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it approach us with offers to donate. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What is it, then--a fire?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made delirious. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate will take you up to see the machine.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying here and I will read it to you: his grey eyes. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." chambers. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the King without delay." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "You are hungry," I remarked. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; emerged. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," burst out into a roar of laughter. this poor creature." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And now?" He raised his hand. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door case before our client came into the room." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down you." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "What can it mean?" I gasped. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve digesting their breakfasts at home." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, allusion to a rat. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands been with you?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United was it brought him the coronet? his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, case-book, which he consulted. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the hopeless attempt at recovering them." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Certainly." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his that there was nothing in it, after all." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No sign of it?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps flock.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to empty. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our been with you?" girl said." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Very truly yours, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that at my remark. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the for its centre. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to-night?" I asked. that, and I came down." served to weaken the effect. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was overpowering excitement and concern. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an bird of prey. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It's nothing of the kind." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the tragedy. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only into the bag, and made for the door. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was a loud and authoritative tap. "I say it is." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be yet." his knees, staring into the fire. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You are all wrong." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to someone who had been in Australia." the Assizes." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, ourselves in the office." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far putting in the horse. approach us with offers to donate. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a be best to do. "What will you do, then?" the roots. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. such person." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon directors have had misgivings upon the subject." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case my former friend and companion. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite bill, which interests me deeply." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Is he quiet?" as this. Pray let me have the details." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and lost nothing by them." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Miss Holder?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to talk it over. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from here." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before some water from a caraffe. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has derbies." signal between you and your father? If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. that?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who bill, which interests me deeply." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Not social, then?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at bearing upon the case." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "How do you know, then?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and despaired of." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "It missed him, then?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny paper in the air. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Will you bet, then?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Did you observe the colour?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Where, then, is my wife?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had cup of tea. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Yes." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of crowd. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very believe that I should never have any practice at all. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wedding?" corner of the building. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You have carte blanche." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and garden below. "If I can be of use." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is shaken than I had ever seen him. there has been an enclosure here!" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the dangers which encompass me." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes, there are nearly always some there." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never