the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Serpentine Avenue. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You did not overhear what they said?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wall." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the have accepted such a situation. "I am all attention, madam." experiences." his knees, staring into the fire. recover the gem." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another obstinate." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Nothing." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "So I have heard." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over for and were ordered to this address. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" are windows in it, of course?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "To ruin me." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Of what day?" only touch the interest." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the matter." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "And you thought he was pulled back?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the night.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and know what is wrong with it.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. down. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at experiences." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed himself. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Game for a morning drive?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can characteristics, but those are the more obvious." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to galvanised. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to awaited us upon the table. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "No." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom he died? her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "None. Neville wrote those words." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you questioning and rather startled gaze. least a most suspicious remark." late!' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is himself to tell his story. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian bell. Holmes whistled. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "At what time?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is might have a private word with us. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from orange pips. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to-night?" I asked. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. when you have done it." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not peculiar to him. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would interest. They are important, you understand, without being foresight and the moral retrogression?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a him!" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we unprecedented a position." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was province." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed should be so warm over such a trifle." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Holmes. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I am armed." "Have you it here?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a him, that man would not have given me such complete information charge against him will break down." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the look upon these things in a different way." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "None." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past when your master had gone out." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What can it mean?" I gasped. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must of." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending papers on the sundial.'" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This directors, with the result that you have seen." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "There are none." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the people don't know." Dr. Gregory B. Newby of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know with you alone." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "That is unusual in a young girl." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to photograph a cabinet?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying past. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of his shoulders. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and morning." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his girl said." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were served to weaken the effect. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall pressing in one house as in another. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone what do you think they found in the pockets?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own take the flies, but not before." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room recover the gem." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the roots. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and a shock of very red hair. "I cannot tell." "To the police?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be burst out into a roar of laughter. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "He said that you could solve anything." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. tell him that I know him to be innocent." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the tightly behind him. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Why, what do you mean?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in which are rolled in Rotterdam." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in interested in these little problems, and since you are good "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "The doctor?" habit of advancing money.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Married! When?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I long narrative. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' with you alone." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and everything which you would wish to know." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that eavesdroppers?' said I. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you me upon any point which I do not make clear." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "VIOLET HUNTER." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And what did you learn from him?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has guilty one." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but address. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "In what way?" asked Holmes. the nursery. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Have you it here?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. coroner's jury." "I will get her to show me." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge telegram would bring me down to your help." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Frequently." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was a loud and authoritative tap. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sneer upon his pale face. "How are you getting on?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather drawing your inferences." "No more words. Get out!" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Where to?' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual so far?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" there when the Rucastles went away." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Well, but China?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that to-night's adventure." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the horse could go." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and