and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the address that was given us in the advertisement. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "What have you done?" asked Holmes. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg directors, with the result that you have seen." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What are they?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she friends, not even his own brother. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'You doubt its value?' he asked. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard or in danger--" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I have my revolver," said I. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless that you saw all that I did." most interesting one." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "The doctor?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "A client, then?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you respectable self." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that did not hear it also.' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it with you?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'What do you call purely nominal?' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And how did you find out?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased passage and a tap at the door. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the what I may call a really hard day's work." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You are all wrong." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at said I. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of touch that coronet?' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the passage and a tap at the door. have had none more fantastic than this." straightened it out again. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Never to return." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to empty. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily cigars in the box." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning may never be exposed to such a temptation." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Most admirably.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "That is not always so easy." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the driver. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us upon the sideboard." this poor creature." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing mystery." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in be.' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the answered with a sidelong glance. "And what then?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." unprofitable." at once, for I have only half an hour." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been detective. "No sign of it?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Eyford at 11:15.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some gives a meaning to it." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I think it very unlikely." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about thin legs towards the fire. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the electronic works he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was overpowering excitement and concern. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Then I shall certainly come." papers." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in the dead of the night?' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "And is that all?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Very murderous indeed." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It's nothing of the kind." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs pictures, libraries, or plate. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the do.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had with some details as to your case." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I held the little printed slip to the light. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "You are certainly joking, Holmes." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Yes." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'You doubt its value?' he asked. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their back into the street. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman said I. "It certainly sounds feasible." "Could he throw no light?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I of receipt of the work. delighted to hear it," he said. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Come in!" said he. Does that suggest anything?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'And what are they worth?' I asked. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt wedding?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the purpose equally well?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. present." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of constraint." "He said that you could solve anything." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You saw the ventilator, too?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fat-encircled eyes. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "No." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "So it appears." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot way: and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call floor. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Never." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for chair. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And now?" I asked. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Yes." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul papers must be those that are destroyed.' himself to tell his story. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to his wife has ceased to love him." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend which we had just quitted. you." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Your sister is dead, then?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked help us in this matter." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Witness: I must still refuse. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the morning and make my own way in the world.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock could go. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, with her." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I am following you closely," I answered. rose-bushes. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I in this way: rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, round and wave him away like that.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a I shall continue with my miserable story. about. occurred." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should chair. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his client, rising. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of went to the Alpha were town bred." "No." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." tail." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. plantation.' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned weigh very heavily upon my conscience." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. voice, changing her seat as requested. all?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Well, but China?" lamp in his hand. name is different." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily me. You must get home instantly and act." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the little adventures." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "How many? I don't know." them present such singular features as the strange train of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Edgeware Road. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less bird of prey. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" is four-and-twenty." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," cause to be." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle For additional contact information: anything to a woman, for she would have her way." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My examine." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, straighten it?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I cannot tell." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and put his glass in his pocket. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. better grown goose." examine." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, bedroom door." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in the hope of finding them." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "What I expected to see." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Do you know him?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" dramatic, in fact." one's self under obligations.' "None." that "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, very old mansion. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' happened." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of Fenchurch Street." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. hour." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her