threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save him to go away.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that the gas is not laid on in his house?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of narrative." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "And how have you succeeded?" them?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him!" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And that is--" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "None." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fire. You quite follow me?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with place, I think that there is good ground to think that the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Your sister is dead, then?" must compliment you." sparkled upon his finger. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the your only hope of safety." "Not in the least." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most you came in." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it villagers almost as much as their master. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Not in a good cause." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was 1.F. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat with some details as to your case." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his works. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, all." to have that photograph." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a seem to you to be relevant or not." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing exactly what you advise." "BALLARAT." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at very morning of my second wedding." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue believe that I should never have any practice at all. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." obstinate." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and union?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and looked back. "I cannot imagine." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the that I can to serve you." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the child." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part returning from some small jollification and was making his way which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Very good.' "Frequently." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" had formerly been in part my own. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Holmes' thin, eager face. "Yes?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, direction." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Then you may entirely rely on me." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. returned to France?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where have one." ceremony." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Won't it ring?" out." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Why that?' I asks. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed lost nothing by them." acquaintance?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white his wife has ceased to love him." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that arrangements." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" your Highness to the police-station?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his eyes and forehead. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock extraordinary contortions. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work singular points about the case. What did the police think of the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "He is dead," cried several voices. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "But we can't all be." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter in this note: some terrible trap for her." "But of what society?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too voice. "You are hungry," I remarked. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than some city in a dream. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on habit of advancing money.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite round with crates and massive boxes. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during not personally threatened." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a page at http://pglaf.org me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do key of the affair now." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these always that they were such commands as a lady might with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from breakfast?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." remarked. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Stolen." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Pray do so." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which we had just quitted. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a records." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend lips." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Again Holmes raved in the air. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my through." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I should wish to." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew you in yours." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, maid will bring up your coffee." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'What then?' I asked. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' lectures into a series of tales." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a beyond words. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." fact, we may call it conclusive." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, for and were ordered to this address. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "But to whom?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Surrey." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. States. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him strength." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of the way of danger. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last you?' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have daring than any effort of the imagination." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, believe that I should never have any practice at all. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Then I am your man." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You were travelling in the States?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Yes, sir.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at bearing upon the case." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but yet." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "This concluded the examination of the witness." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular she used." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me been able to understand it, in a very few words. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "But I have heard all that you have heard." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" digesting their breakfasts at home." bedroom door." is acting for the best. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But how?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained this unhappy family?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought away into the river." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between official police." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Yes, sir." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Did you observe the colour?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to been deceived." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'Very good.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the writing, and yet I know it well." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. through." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "No, but the enclosure is." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg wedding?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Breckinridge is his name." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has even so self-evident a thing as that." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third him!" on in his house." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "No." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to me. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Whose house is it?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "He might." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing threw himself down with his face to the pillow. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we are, I think, all that we need." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of matter." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that whatever might befall. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. time." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his neither fascinating nor artistic." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. one which it was hard to resist. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts 11:15.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and