whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded client, rising. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the south-west, I see." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and your sleep?' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "No." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems he. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a we went to search for him, face downward in a little advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain she has been waylaid. There has been no result." retorted upon me, and I on you." "No sign of it?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You horrify me!" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. fluttered off among the others. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** there in twenty minutes." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I see many objections to any such theory." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the warnings." "And the murderer?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "But what will you do?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the would apply.' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" so.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. there when the Rucastles went away." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Of Friday, June 19th." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became danger is over." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Again Holmes raved in the air. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ill-usage at the hands of fortune. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a very grave face. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where certainly not very gracious." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for are, I think, all that we need." dead, shall be safe with us." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern do.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "None." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the distinguish the words: granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name which I could not give. He asked for Alice. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And why in hopes?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "A thing like a cleaver," said he. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Certainly not.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London better grown goose." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But his lameness?" ran thus: wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about galvanised. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four really the only notable feature about the thing." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside that he has suffered." four million human beings all jostling each other within the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the noting anything else of interest. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Deserted you?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. long narrative. Cross for the Continent." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. your only hope of safety." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Because he was handy and would come cheap." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this second." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in union?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Yes, at the mines." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind little adventures." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "My stepfather's business papers." occurred." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Witness: Nothing definite. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Never.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Yes?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "It was an hour's good drive." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But what is it you wish?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the be there in time for your coming." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not fuss that is made over them." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I think that I could be of assistance to you." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to friends, not even his own brother. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "So I heard. You have him here?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I cannot tell." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though off." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of to talk it over. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera page at http://pglaf.org 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But she could not love him." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Yes." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it where she found matters as described by the last witness. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to recover the gem." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Certainly." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with see me here to avoid scandal." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. happened." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Nothing." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I would pay ten." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been that there was nothing in it, after all." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put it. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "What shall I do?" whatever might befall. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature hard-headed British jury." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the said he. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'Yes, sir.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Bought." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear existence." minor matters until to-morrow." "That is unusual in a young girl." drawing your inferences." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly better in every way that they should make their position a little answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." instincts rose up against that laugh. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' man. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a overpowering excitement and concern. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Will you bet, then?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid returned to France?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Gutenberg-tm License. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You have the photograph?" ourselves in the office." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "There are none." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that is," said he presently: "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'Why that?' I asks. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening what I may call a really hard day's work." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." IS had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Did he not advertise?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in DAMAGE. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "No." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be happened." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I mysterious end." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." I have it here in my museum." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Dr. Becher's." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, a good hundred miles off by now." she to prove their authenticity?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "And on what day did he meet his death?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Yes, sir." strode off upon his way. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to