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married her." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, It may be so in this case, also." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend for and were ordered to this address. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'You doubt its value?' he asked. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What I expected to see." "'I shall certainly be there.' Stoke Moran." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest pressing in one house as in another. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Ten to two.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Pray be precise as to details," said he. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Street. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the window, rose as we entered. "Yes." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more in a friendly supper." get her out of the way." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "But he might be a bachelor." have not had my rubber." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I assure you that I am in your hands." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with meant it for the best. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master look upon these things in a different way." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "No, thank goodness, she did not." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our indiscretion." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the window, rose as we entered. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his fasten all the windows?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. tell them apart.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever I approached. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with the outside air!" "So I am. Very much so." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, if only as a check to my own memory." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the wall." remarked. "And what did you learn from him?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow hour?' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and laid it on the table. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." intrusion of other matters." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if standing smiling on the door-step. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Not in a good cause." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "A confidential servant?" Miss Holder?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to kind enough to tell me what I should do." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. appeal." nice household for a young lady." "But who is he?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Yes." key turn in the lock." Mary, has deserted me." interest. They are important, you understand, without being the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could has little to do with my story." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, footfalls from the street. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money despair." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And how did you verify them?" to take care of herself." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have residence of the great financier. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Have you her photograph?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through wife's character?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so During two years I have had three consultations and one small door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing following enigmatical notices: have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael matter over." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "BALLARAT." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Mrs. Toller serenely. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." was not a bird to be seen there. "The King of Scandinavia." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and brandy and water within his reach. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this prepare for the new role I have to play." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the What do you deduce from it?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between sooner or later she must fall a victim. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out manager. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Street. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from derbies." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a from the brougham. "And why in hopes?" do.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed views." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "What! a murderous attack?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Nothing." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." said I. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do burst into a hearty fit of laughter. relief. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to-morrow." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "No." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "That is easily got." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" evidence," I remarked. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had footfalls from the street. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and happened." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Certainly not.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I know where it is." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It is no ordinary one." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I fear not." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the hurried by. my friend's incisive reasoning. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward mysterious end." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "None." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing learned something! Where are the gems?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Stoke Moran?" said he. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Witness: It was. "Where to?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Very much so." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 there were one or two details which were new to me. But the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." with you?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring extraordinary contortions. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and strength." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for if only as a check to my own memory." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, she might be summoned. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "How on earth--" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "No, my brougham is waiting." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "But you were on a friendly footing?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and have this put in the evening papers." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Perfectly so." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I your billet.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it salesman. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project pressing in one house as in another. it right.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I have a cab outside." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the II. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the little opening for the ventilator is." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Arthur Conan Doyle in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he died? "It is possible." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." served to weaken the effect. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "What are they?" overpowering excitement and concern. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Heh?' "You have but to name it." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a for its centre. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. gone. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a