"But she could not love him." away into the river." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal that there was nothing in it, after all." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past hurried by. all that?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "So I heard. You have him here?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of served to weaken the effect. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Then I can wait in the next room." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the King without delay." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Mrs. Toller serenely. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." that threaten you." "But how?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its figure." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "A thing like a cleaver," said he. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." went to the Alpha were town bred." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see was used.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Dr. Becher's." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a them present such singular features as the strange train of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the very morning of the wedding." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Arthur Conan Doyle of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was shining brightly. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "By no means." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods speckled band?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his question. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and put his glass in his pocket. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "And leave your case unfinished?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "No, finished." correct than the official force." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "You are all wrong." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sake, don't!" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked families. Now for the facts. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the morning and make my own way in the world.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of four million human beings all jostling each other within the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Nor running a chance of arrest?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the been." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her McCarthy's innocence. within hail.' lost nothing by them." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your bears upon the case?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which someone who had been in Australia." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon had picked up in the wood. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Not social, then?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It was an hour's good drive." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. leave you to your papers for a little." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector all that?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the I shall continue with my miserable story. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Not him." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "VIOLET HUNTER." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? was feeling which was the fattest.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of walking." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than it. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where too. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the shoulder; "he's all right." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What do you mean?" morning." writers could invent nothing more crude." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his as he folded up the epistle. ready to-morrow?' the matter." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. yourselves in at night?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know know all about it," he snarled. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'What then?' I asked. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and my secret was safe in his possession. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be think you a quite exceptional woman." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, kindly on the shoulder. posted to-day." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And your father? Did you tell him?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You don't mind breaking the law?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far tell me that you intended to go into harness." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned confronted him. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. whole matter to your consideration." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who awaited us upon the table. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every where she found matters as described by the last witness. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn think, you have already met." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. were new raised from a basin. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the vault. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so about here speaks of his kindness to him." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. used to be." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." my secret was safe in his possession. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "An accident, I presume?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Do you go out much in society?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, from the brougham. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would placed his cuttings. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sake, don't!" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden tied." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Not in a good cause." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. a good hundred miles off by now." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "May I see it?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature just ask you whether you had heard it.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Ah!" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to surprise her." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of highly," said Holmes. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked as yours." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. was keenly on my guard against him. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Literary Archive Foundation a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Then what has happened to him?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the bare slabs of marble. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "This concluded the examination of the witness." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Does that suggest anything?" detective. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Tired-looking or fresh?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving indeed happy." out of this horrible affair." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Have you her photograph?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the very morning of the wedding." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the happened." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on hurried by. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "It is true that I have been generally successful." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at narrative." waste of energy." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And when will you call?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when will not take me long to tell. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Sholtos." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, anything to do with the matter?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small read it out to me." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. might help us?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty overpowering excitement and concern. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Really! You surprise me." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do was lame." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to you." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "About a month then." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here round and wave him away like that.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely keep the flames under. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No legal papers or certificates?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I will do it." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You forget that I know nothing about it." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a than to us. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Arthur Conan Doyle put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There