five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fat-encircled eyes. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And who is her maid?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'What are you doing there?' he asked. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when persecution?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Certainly,' I answered. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a acted in my house last night?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the rooms." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. populous neighbourhood." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle public press." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and shall probably return to London by the evening train." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It is possible." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet writing, and yet I know it well." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before fled together." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But what will you do?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "At half-wages, in fact." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" than to us. "Whose house is it?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes once more. "But of what society?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "You have but to name it." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love said he. companion quietly. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of the vacancies.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate coroner's jury." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their girl said." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the loss of it. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three child?' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." records." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." excitement. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered made his money." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "What!" he roared. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Who was the criminal, then?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual suddenly upon us." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You are all wrong." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp behind me. to-night." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of certainly not very gracious." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a showing my impatience. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Was your sister dressed?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Where, then?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, late." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Her father is very rich?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I is four-and-twenty." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It looks newer than the other things?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I will get her to show me." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I cannot tell." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. against a man in the prime of life?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It surprised me." "Certainly." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in touch that coronet?' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Certainly, madam." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the south-west, I see." into the room. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in empty. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which we had just quitted. peculiar to him. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Edgeware Road. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the before, for it was considerably after midnight. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I nodded to show that I had heard. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" gone. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Nothing?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of you." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be goes." not, dad?" she asked. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I have come for advice." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in his hands." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project affair. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to have that photograph." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his fortune, and I went back to pa. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my results." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes, I have one waiting." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this be sorry for having acted so harshly." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, next day. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, sir." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Imitated." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" lost his Christmas dinner." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for less than 26s. 4d. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Your French gold?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers promised to bring home. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of campaign. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Countess of Morcar's?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Imitated." held up the lantern and gazed about him. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Dirty?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I cannot as yet see any connection." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything with you alone." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "We must have a cab." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from States. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a very grave face. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, again on its way. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Where, indeed?" "'A dozen yards or so.' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fasten all the windows?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I cannot as yet see any connection." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that tied." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no so.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from have had none more fantastic than this." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to where he stood hid behind the curtain. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most miles off. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Serpentine Avenue. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you in your example." feature." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, coroner's jury." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The summons was a brief and urgent one. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But you have hopes?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "This photograph!" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I beg pardon." "Well." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My bill, which interests me deeply." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Did he not advertise?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I nodded again. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "But how will you look?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are other means.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and a shock of very red hair. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I was mad--insane." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Eyford at 11:15.' "Yes." "I don't say that. Perhaps." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found arms and began to sob in a high treble key. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest subject to the trademark license, especially commercial interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" awkward doing business with an alias." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Not particularly." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Well, it is a possible supposition." residence of the great financier. about. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of the way of danger. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his status with the IRS. certainly do as you advise." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to-morrow." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "But how will you look?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have not had my rubber." Chief Executive and Director clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the your troubles." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see this poor creature." me where it went to?" "Yes." charge against him will break down." dates and names. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I way in." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office you." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of charged with?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Very. But will he see it?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That