most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to vault. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the in his power. fishes. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and a shock of very red hair. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Yes, I have one waiting." row." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and inquire as to the address." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Quite so." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east married her." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Perfectly so." "I will get her to show me." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the dangers which encompass me." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Your French gold?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter one of them." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Who was the criminal, then?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. province." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the coronet in his hand?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Why serious?" "In the cells." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "What shall I do?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 so far?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came people in all walks of life. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the tragedy. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." cigar and let me expound." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to pierced for earrings?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I fear not." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'And what salary do you ask?' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. whereabouts. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat American. Then who could this American be, and why should he of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling could gather together that I was able to avert another public Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the purpose equally well?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Oh, no.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. detective. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Very much so." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. appeal." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. main points of my analysis." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What! a murderous attack?" round and wave him away like that.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Not in the least." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly promised to bring home. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me upon the white wrist. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Miss Holder?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Then the page we have seen--" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen villagers almost as much as their master. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "My photograph." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; bedroom door." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by advice." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an eat it." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. writing, and yet I know it well." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the head. So long, then!" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." some terrible trap for her." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Bought." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Eyford." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "No, I am descending." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations other means.' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird companion quietly. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." conduct the inquiry." me what he had done with the three missing stones. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to-night?' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The gentleman I describe." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was feeling which was the fattest.' "And help." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "What are they?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very weapon." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Not I." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I will, Miss Turner." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door money should be paid at once.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "The landlord of the Alpha." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "That is unusual in a young girl." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "We must have a cab." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to it with his own hands." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. hereditary King of Bohemia." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America rat could hardly pass through." "The vanishing of the lady." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which official police." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your purpose equally well?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "By all means." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid will he say when he returns?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would lost nothing by them." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "No, my brougham is waiting." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, out of this horrible affair." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me said he. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. weighed down with some great anxiety. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Witness: I must still refuse. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known carried out of court." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. take the flies, but not before." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a easy-going way." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I leave." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I was concerned in it." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. salesman. "Certainly." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the matter?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "How did you trace it, then?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" Street. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and prisoner's face. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'As governess?' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." asked with his eyes open. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "If I can be of use." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with already referred to. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left into the room. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from one of them." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And how did you verify them?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the annoyance, but no jest. "But how will you look?" "Precisely." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more shoulder; "he's all right." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon get the tickets." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a open." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried been deceived." residence of the great financier. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four gives a meaning to it." he bowed and left the room without another word. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Then you may entirely rely on me." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at noting anything else of interest. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To yards of it?' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been test if we have an answer to our advertisement." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger business matters.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow province." later, upon the night of May 2nd." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Holmes." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that handed it to him. suspect him." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." weapon." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his gives a meaning to it." clanging. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with ran thus: noble correspondent could be. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And how?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the to-night's adventure." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and just called myself is not exactly my own." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and looked back. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which in the port of London." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of over here." that you saw all that I did." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and