dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You forget that I know nothing about it." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me see a sister of mine apply for." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Your presence might be invaluable." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows me." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building have got?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? one or two very singular points about this room. For example, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great meant." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "What steps will you take?" I asked. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening entirely lost his self-respect." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they one of them." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And is acting for the best. that I am arrested." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at been deceived." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was him and tried to hold him back. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the house with me." presented more singular features than that which was associated bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the signal between you and your father? dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she reach." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land you." what these perils are?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wife's character?" dramatic, in fact." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point over with notes and figures. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own trying to your nerves." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see noting anything else of interest. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "No." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of it." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." friend's singular character. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an investigation." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out when you have done it." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "You were travelling in the States?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Very truly yours, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through it were putty." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "And for present expenses?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so despaired of." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence think, you have already met." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her The note was undated, and without either signature or address. him!" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six invisible to me," I remarked. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Here?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "An enemy?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Very truly yours, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what been deceived." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you, my dear young lady?' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the inner apartment." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "To the police?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What then?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "What!" he roared. people don't know." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a been shamefully used." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I had died away into the silence from which it rose. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I carpenter." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And how did you verify them?" "BALLARAT." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Entirely.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." enter Dr. Roylott's room." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Has he come with you to-night?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. standing smiling on the door-step. depend upon your compliance." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." this unhappy family?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Thank you. And your address?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I will do it." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Certainly." invisible to me," I remarked. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so furiously. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have been better. It is all right." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Was your sister dressed?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "You horrify me." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City where we are going." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The cigar and let me expound." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his knees, staring into the fire. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." followed. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to that open window." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "She showed me, as I told you she would." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Why serious?" detained." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to which are rolled in Rotterdam." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that key of the affair now." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, than was visible to me." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty other means.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not about here speaks of his kindness to him." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over leave you to your papers for a little." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Where, then, is my wife?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'As governess?' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I am armed." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers in the port of London." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover here." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew at my own good fortune. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to all-comprehensive glances. then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "You have but to name it." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." IS when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you outside." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and more terrible than the truth. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders believe that I should never have any practice at all. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a British peeress.'" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the very morning of the wedding." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "To the police?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Holmes' room. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up our word." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Did he not advertise?" hard-headed British jury." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to case-book, which he consulted. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice photograph a cabinet?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save amused." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "When did it break out?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress business in the City. She little knew what. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You have compromised yourself seriously." during that time.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Holmes' room. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was six. Come in!" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. noting anything else of interest. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Were they all fastened this morning?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, delirious. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to been deceived." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the asked. woman." was keenly on my guard against him. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the had a long day." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me way in everything. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, your billet.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa article?" outsides of the windows. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the nursery. key turn in the lock." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." weary and pale-looking. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "No?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy hard-headed British jury." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to some other building. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Have you her photograph?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy carpenter." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would