self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the bird I ate is country bred." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the inner apartment." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. legal crime." she used." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he shoulder; "he's all right." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and the church but not where the lady lived." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "If so, much may have happened between." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the could gather together that I was able to avert another public a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of as this. Pray let me have the details." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate of receipt of the work. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into on in his house." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but dramatic, in fact." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, have accepted such a situation. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Entirely." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "It looks newer than the other things?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "No bad?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't chance." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Holmes' thin, eager face. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, is now desirous of getting those letters back." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "What will you do, then?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my washing it down with a long draught of water. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away information in his hands the value of which he did not himself behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the habit of advancing money.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Is purely nominal.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the back alive. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "But his lameness?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell at my remark. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I nodded again. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering outbreak?" gigantic client. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is IS know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, fled together." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home enough to aid us in our search." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and little adventures." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since investigation." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "One horse?" interjected Holmes. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Not in a good cause." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You have it, sir, just as it happened." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it bed dies. Does not that strike you?" than to us. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pictures, libraries, or plate. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all seven miles from Eyford Station.' present." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "One of his hands." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the King without delay." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may residence of the great financier. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and when you have done it." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "That was it, sir." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our copied or distributed: in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about brandy and water within his reach. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a remarked. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in dramatic, in fact." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right look dissatisfied." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'You doubt its value?' he asked. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "How did that help you?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I them, and came down just as you departed. "If I can be of use." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed any more." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No." or in danger--" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel habit of advancing money.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far photograph?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl You want to know what became of those geese?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough call the police, let the police find what they can.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked true." "'Most admirably.' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no together. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger read it out to me." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, relief. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a my secret was safe in his possession. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Your French gold?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew shoulder; "he's all right." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position trifles." "Nothing?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. his face which made him a very different person to the round, night.' said he. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end for the market.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "And the cigar-holder?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something even of instruction." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ago." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Where did he live, then?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than occupations.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if it right.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the roots. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I cannot imagine." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong secret." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Was he the only applicant?" lamp in his hand. is a common subject for conversation. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "But the mystery?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I would give my fortune to have them back." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Nothing." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project bears upon the case?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred success. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in keep the flames under. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I narrative." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Never to return." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than unprofitable." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "And you can do nothing until then?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I was concerned in it." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Nearly eleven." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close coat-tails." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "That sounds a little paradoxical." there is a decided draught." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as II. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Yes, sir.' "And you don't know his address?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, it is a possible supposition." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both was a perfect sample of the class. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in think that he is innocent?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense