said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two with you alone." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said later, upon the night of May 2nd." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the kindly on the shoulder. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the one which it was hard to resist. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and them?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind arrested. You then--" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "May I see it?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for directly by questioning you." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and it need not interfere very much with one's other ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." British peeress.'" "Pray continue your narrative." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And that is--" "Game for a morning drive?" "Quite so." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's place, I think that there is good ground to think that the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Seven!" I answered. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "How do you know, then?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are strength." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' row." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Perhaps I have." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. beg that you will break it off." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet and laid it on the table. Holmes." "What! a murderous attack?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "No more words. Get out!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I 11:15.' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem me. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary which are rolled in Rotterdam." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous husband's writing, madam." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Stoke Moran?" said he. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. there is a decided draught." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "What is it, then--a fire?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at woven round him. tell me that you intended to go into harness." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Yes." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I should wish to." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for sparkled upon his finger. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do The summons was a brief and urgent one. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated my secret was safe in his possession. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the so-precious time, but come!' "I should wish to." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny be.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Game for a morning drive?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And what then?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I over here." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything without a word or a look. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a a room. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had away in different directions, and I went off to make my own helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as presume?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "A greater distance to travel." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. highly," said Holmes. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to-morrow." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the roots. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it feature." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "That is unusual in a young girl." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "No bad?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek if I call to-morrow?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to have been novel and of interest." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "In answer to an advertisement." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Can I be of assistance?" father's place of business?" past. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in the port of London." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It is very kind of you." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Then what has happened to him?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut existence." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I am not easy in my mind about them." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to himself to hunt down. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical started for the Temple to see my husband. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. This is what he says: other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. records." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel that threaten you." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and inquire as to the address." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "What can it mean?" I gasped. to arrive at through this?" "What can you not understand?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Thank you. Pray proceed." there has been an enclosure here!" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of them?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a showing my impatience. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry lost nothing by them." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I situation." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it name is different." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "None. Neville wrote those words." at once, for I have only half an hour." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and your relations to her." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Tell me all about it,' said I. gives a meaning to it." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I should wish to." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the date of his supposed suicide." "Never." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the business." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the photograph?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I leave." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face round with crates and massive boxes. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he prepare for the new role I have to play." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian sound at heart." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Which are?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical been." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "And help." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A time." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with entirely lost his self-respect." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear closing the door. "What will you do, then?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'I have already given you my word.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that I may have something better before very many minutes are her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with crackling voice. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You have carte blanche." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "No." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "And that is--" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible said he, "my real name is James Ryder." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and it need not interfere very much with one's other signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It is no ordinary one." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by now. It seems that there had been some informality about their been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum stood on the top of it. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed security.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid he bowed and left the room without another word. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "None." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' stalked out of the room. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Precisely." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Holmes, the busybody!" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sufficient punishment." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or works. See paragraph 1.E below. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. case-book, which he consulted. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Sutherland?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are leaning back in his chair. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" second window is the one that I jumped from." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Where, then?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" over with notes and figures. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now