1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from would then never go into court at all." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. clanging. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that himself to tell his story. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and that he would see to anything that turned up. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "The best possible." prison!" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "To an English lawyer named Norton." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "What have you to say now?" jewels which you have stolen?' forbidden door. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I cannot imagine." be sorry for having acted so harshly." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and looked back. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Yes." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from such person." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I was afraid that you were engaged." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and your relations to her." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in a friendly supper." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hour?' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Witness: I must still refuse. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and papers on the sundial.'" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "And I to find an enemy." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in know that the truth is known." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. McCarthy's innocence. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "My private note-paper." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and looked back. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the business." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, but China?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be affection." said he. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are conversation I have gathered that they have been married about base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the been." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United tell them apart.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and effective." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "9th. McCauley cleared. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in within hail.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It is no ordinary one." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as any little problem which you may submit to me." that?' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I would pay ten." "I shall most certainly do so." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less lectures into a series of tales." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Why did you pick him?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. developed." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in them, and came down just as you departed. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, about here speaks of his kindness to him." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Witness: I must still refuse. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds official police." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in gentleman's clothes. the driver. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Why? What do you mean?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Oh, fresh and glossy." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Yes, only one." several quiet little villages up there." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ourselves in the office." "Where, then?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to-night's adventure." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And when will you call?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it breakfast." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Most admirably.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At danger is over." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your there was no need for father to know." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Yes, I promise.' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am about to be married." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight these bleak autumnal evenings." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then, as to money?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his wife has ceased to love him." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the for securing the situation." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Stolen." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone some mystery and the punishment of some crime." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Where, then, is my wife?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no learned something! Where are the gems?" "Oh, yes, easily." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to a light-house. away to you." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "On your arm?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a cost them two and thirty pounds." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Will you bet, then?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Won't it ring?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss thought that she would have been so carried away." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than advice." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very them, and came down just as you departed. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in which our visitor detailed to us. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with 'please.'" and that he would see to anything that turned up. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a business in the City. She little knew what. existence." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. what do you think they found in the pockets?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He other means.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Have you it here?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I should wish to." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. own family. "Witness: Nothing definite. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Of what day?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the purpose of examination. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch round and wave him away like that.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I detective. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over noting anything else of interest. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the stones. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that over with notes and figures. "It is possible." said I. over here." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Farm upon the left." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Never." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass matter." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yes." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Where does the thing come from?' in the port of London." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that himself. highroad, where all traces were lost. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or garden below. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Is purely nominal.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Is he quiet?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I have hopes." long narrative. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your stammered. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "At what time?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the detective. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of