my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I would pay ten." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had tension within him. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and put his glass in his pocket. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "How many? I don't know." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and newspaper selections." "By no means." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Then I shall certainly come." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a relief. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the unprofitable." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "And why?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "That is unusual in a young girl." room had already been engaged for us. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes, only one." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to row." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I held the little printed slip to the light. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Oh, yes, easily." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You are certainly joking, Holmes." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Very murderous indeed." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'I have already given you my word.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "What then?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to talk it over. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there read it out to me." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Precisely." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Edgeware Road. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary me have 200 pounds?' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'What then?' I asked. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Ha! you find it so?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it morning." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Nothing." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers province." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It is no ordinary one." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. of this gang." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. delirious. excitement. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg purpose equally well?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Witness: Nothing definite. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." despaired of." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It is to him that this trophy belongs." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'Never.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What then?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Street. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking lectures into a series of tales." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case that I am arrested." "Yes, it would be as well." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "From his hat?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Look there!" said he. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Was your sister dressed?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." that you wished to speak to me?' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is detective. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I out." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' whatever might befall. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me front of me. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Where to?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in questionable one." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'A dozen yards or so.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some at my own good fortune. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Precisely so. But how--" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, you." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "No?" paper in the air. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for undoubtedly my uncle's." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shaken than I had ever seen him. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings outbreak?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable guilty one." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered only touch the interest." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to rose-bushes. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Get out!" said he. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector ashen face. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "When did she vanish, then?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Oh, no.' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head keep the flames under. least a fellow-countryman. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I am armed." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wanted for ourselves." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I shall be delighted." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could been with you?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. quickly through a disagreeable task. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sound at heart." placed his cuttings. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. distinguish the words: uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "But what will you do?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you opened a pocket-book and took out a note. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to all that?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary gigantic client. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "What will you say?" "This photograph!" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'And what salary do you ask?' what do you think they found in the pockets?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. woven round him. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Entirely." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against some mystery and the punishment of some crime." over here." in my life." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "What will you say?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and recover the gem." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are row." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I used to be." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Holmes. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and what I may call a really hard day's work." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and asked with his eyes open. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my more solid." "Nothing?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Really! You surprise me." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune hard-headed British jury." "That is possible." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I cannot think." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg disappearance of the bride.'" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.E.9. "Yes, I have one waiting." to miss it." may have an influence upon European history." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "And the murderer?" address. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" until night should bring an explanation. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "What then?" "Murdered?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! in. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say never will be, entirely cleared up. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in seen the man in the road." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "What do you mean?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and recover the gem." to-night?' weighed down with some great anxiety. least a fellow-countryman. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. look dissatisfied." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at