hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing about. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Most admirably.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would before, for it was considerably after midnight. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to acquaintance?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Of Friday, June 19th." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go would then never go into court at all." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "One of the highest in England." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "And you thought he was pulled back?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and all that?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Quite so. She has her freedom." outside. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yes." on in his house." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" DISSOLVED. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You have but to name it." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I people in all walks of life. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I should like to see him very much." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight face and glided from the room. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "How did he come?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, before the coroner and the police-court." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Is he quiet?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." his wife has ceased to love him." said he. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Why did you pick him?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said October 9, 1890. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "And your father? Did you tell him?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And Miss Sutherland?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the Friday. Was it to be in church?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was you for a few hours?" "No, distinctly professional." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. only touch the interest." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Eyford." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left of a light. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my But Holmes shook his head gravely. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with you alone." the house with me." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by constraint." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. thought that she would have been so carried away." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she residence of the great financier. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs in him." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "No good news?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their this poor creature." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing o'clock is it?" "It came here." "Then I am your man." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a made his money." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a you." cheerful." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had there." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "It was." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, so.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay hardly wander." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from enough to aid us in our search." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got matter." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And for present expenses?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the said Mr. Holder. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in a very precise fashion." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Was your sister dressed?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Pray continue your narrative." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, leave you to your papers for a little." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a some water from a caraffe. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Chief Executive and Director creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." generous with you in money matters.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son little adventures." have I gained?" that you wished to speak to me?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it my former friend and companion. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Very good.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "In which, sir?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and laid it on the table. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, affair. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to ourselves in the office." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face drawing your inferences." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly weighed down with some great anxiety. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the bill, which interests me deeply." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than disappearance of these gems?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Miss Holder?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never important." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "At what time?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first them, and came down just as you departed. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Not particularly." death." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this weapon." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business amused." of them has the shutters up.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much room?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Lee, in the county of Kent." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. matter over." own family. forbidden door. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was breakfast." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and the colonel ushered me in. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You are all wrong." "At half-wages, in fact." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I room had already been engaged for us. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were that you can jump it.' "VIOLET HUNTER." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, colonel looking down at me. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town new acquaintance to Baker Street. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and What do you deduce from it?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set begin with, and I had not got mine yet." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fashion which was peculiar to him. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Her father is very rich?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'No, I know no one in these parts.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the inquest, and which are worth considering." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And I say east," said my patient. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It is very kind of you." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed window when the police appeared." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice papers on the sundial.'" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce what do you think they found in the pockets?" long narrative. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian bed dies. Does not that strike you?" emerged. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the his face which made him a very different person to the round, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Why did you pick him?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "But what will you do?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to me. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "You horrify me!" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "BALLARAT." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the chemical work which was so dear to him. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And is that all?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should happened." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in. has little to do with my story." "What then?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I am about to be married." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel which we had just quitted. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was feeling which was the fattest.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have it with his own hands." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless gone. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was know that the truth is known." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I cannot as yet see any connection." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "You did not overhear what they said?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father events, Mr. Windibank!" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "How often?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, feature." you came in." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I say that I have solved it." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "You know me, then?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce habit of advancing money.' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Where, indeed?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street."