She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I am not easy in my mind about them." have had none more fantastic than this." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "He said too much." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an your own bird, so if you wish--" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally intimate personal affairs in this public manner." humiliation." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, walking." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had long narrative. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall extraordinary contortions. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any as he remarks, very much against the son." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom there were one or two details which were new to me. But the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "He might." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with man. I know him from the photograph." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous little adventures." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, crime. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "They are typewritten," I remarked. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid with you?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, quickly through a disagreeable task. Street. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case been shamefully used." I nodded to show that I had heard. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that assist you in forming an opinion." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be are, and they are waiting for us." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Very much so." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Imitated." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his had a long day." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have accepted such a situation. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes all-comprehensive glances. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I way: "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "That is possible." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. any more." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Certainly, madam." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the inner apartment." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One girl said." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that I am arrested." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have bled considerably." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he ways including including checks, online payments and credit card it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." forehead. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic empty. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sufficient punishment." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Did you become engaged then?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned problems help me to do so." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, attention." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of campaign. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "In the cells." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not 'please.'" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported investigation." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Upon what point?" "I have hopes." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What later, upon the night of May 2nd." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in charged with?" "My photograph." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any helping a boy to put up the shutters. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "My dear Holmes!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By there in twenty minutes." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Indeed! Whose, then?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There cigars in their mouths. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." know that the truth is known." gone. "Then you may be so with me." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I own family. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and looked back. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "His face fell immediately. "Your sister is dead, then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Certainly." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "You don't mind breaking the law?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. ran thus: "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile gbnewby@pglaf.org Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "She showed me, as I told you she would." skylight. "Have you her photograph?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the astonishment. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis information in his hands the value of which he did not himself happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You think that he is dead?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, other lovers by making love himself." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'I am sure if I had known--' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "My stepfather's business papers." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Perhaps I have." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and the church but not where the lady lived." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to what I may call a really hard day's work." "The doctor?" "Was the window open?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Dirty?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Witness: Nothing definite. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of British peeress.'" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Yes?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left your most interesting statement." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "None. Neville wrote those words." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I cannot tell." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes disturbance in my wife." "Your French gold?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the that threaten you." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Not particularly." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that on in his house." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. guilty parties." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' from you?" narrative." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had article?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Does that suggest anything?" Henry Baker is a member." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of outsides of the windows. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing away in different directions, and I went off to make my own a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have ways of our fellow-men." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole lamp. "And help." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with be best to do. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches help us in this matter." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to me. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "And on what day did he meet his death?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "None. Neville wrote those words." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Holmes' thin, eager face. six. Come in!" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'I am sure if I had known--' breakfast." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He was the fact that his father should, according to his account, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" noting anything else of interest. written. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth once more to my work. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were himself to hunt down. Edgeware Road. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes, sir." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I am armed." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered come either from the window or the door. My attention was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and wait." waste of energy." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The landlord of the Alpha." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But I am all in the dark." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here not within a twentieth part of the market price." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads populous neighbourhood." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person arms and began to sob in a high treble key. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of tension within him. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim records." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But who is he?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step awkward doing business with an alias." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from of a light. "My last client of the sort was a king." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which we had just quitted. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Yes." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his annoyance, but no jest. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have ourselves in the office." o'clock is it?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the said Mr. Holder. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I