"The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Project Gutenberg-tm works. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands tell them apart.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your was a lad." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from was a loud and authoritative tap. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Count Von Kramm." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make child?' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is question. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "A call for help, you thought?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an lamp. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And how did you find out?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable chambers. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for floor. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle miles off. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You think so, too?" "Yes, that is the Crown." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly said I. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "That is it on the dressing-table." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I cannot tell." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel some water from a caraffe. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it case-book, which he consulted. "Really! You surprise me." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "No, finished." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And for present expenses?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Ten will be early enough." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fear." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Certainly." lost his Christmas dinner." "None." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" straighten it?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "And I." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet is entirely a question of barometric pressure." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "None." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a sparkled upon his finger. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would your sleep?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one hour." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Where did you address your letters, then?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." mystery!" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, from you?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Then let me do so?' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a What do you deduce from it?" your sleep?' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently been deceived." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "No. What a strange idea!" "And how did you find out?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "What have you to say now?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the you for a few hours?" think that any burglar could have done. there in twenty minutes." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual point in the dark hollow of his hand. said I. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Come in!" said Holmes. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "No, I am descending." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional never will be, entirely cleared up. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn throat." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I should be taken.' Street. remarked. me." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean me have 200 pounds?' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's upon a handsome competence. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon salesman. gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Entirely.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "It is true that I have been generally successful." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past them present such singular features as the strange train of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have go from here to the Strand." residence of the great financier. promised to bring home. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their writing, and yet I know it well." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Entirely." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there nonsense.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled some terrible trap for her." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "How about poison?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "What!" he roared. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Absolutely none." But Holmes shook his head gravely. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I see many objections to any such theory." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and no precautions can guard against." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I cannot imagine." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Very much so." see a sister of mine apply for." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Was she in good spirits?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wedding?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such would apply.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar room had already been engaged for us. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. stepfather?" you for a few hours?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of campaign. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and files of the old papers, following the future career of every answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped you do it in twenty minutes!' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw fire. You quite follow me?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "What office?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of relief. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Mary, has deserted me." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and had a long day." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of Fenchurch Street." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Only as much as we can deduce." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He meant it for the best. "Thank you. And your address?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the morning and make my own way in the world.' to have that photograph." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to said I. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small despair." morning." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a imbecility!" he cried. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no even of instruction." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'Very good.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to my little problems." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." answered with a sidelong glance. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. it were putty." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Breckinridge is his name." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "But we can't all be." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "The knees of his trousers." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and once more for Briony Lodge. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'What, the red-headed man?' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Here?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help said Mr. Holder. security.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. respectable self." had died away into the silence from which it rose. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the to change my dress. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at straightened it out again. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Sutherland. "But it has twice been burgled." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And why in hopes?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of the way of danger. the window, rose as we entered. wedding?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Leadenhall Street--and--" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we tell me that you intended to go into harness." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I have my revolver," said I. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. been." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his go--none." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying in him." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Proceed, then." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Certainly." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the devil!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our be best to do. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes, it would be as well." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Where does the thing come from?' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at not within a twentieth part of the market price." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, at the mines." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while perplexity from it to my illustrious client. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point garden below. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and