just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or read it out to me." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of putting in the horse. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were fishes. province." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called should be taken.' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a felt the room to be a little close.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his down. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "And how did he make his money?" dramatic, in fact." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly is four-and-twenty." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's said he. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Your presence might be invaluable." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the room while you explain this matter?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The whereabouts. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I should like to see him very much." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the morning and make my own way in the world.' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among highroad, where all traces were lost. Does that suggest anything?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Was she in good spirits?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "So I have heard." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the important." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Entirely." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found writers could invent nothing more crude." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'It is locked up,' I answered. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Of what?" "My last client of the sort was a king." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "No more words. Get out!" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it companion. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself putting in the horse. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And who is her maid?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." were new raised from a basin. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the one as in the other." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'And the work?' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon outside." go--none." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again place, I think that there is good ground to think that the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish during the last few years, and there are many noble families to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father during that time.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I promise," said Holmes. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Very. But will he see it?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The Coroner: What do you mean? the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and your sleep?' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his companion imperturbably. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom call the police, let the police find what they can.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a discontent upon his features. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom indiscretion." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" there is a decided draught." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Dr. Gregory B. Newby "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project showing my impatience. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "What I expected to see." "I beg pardon." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Holmes rather sternly. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to change my dress. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." strong and stiff." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sofa. This way, please!" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is attention." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing in a very precise fashion." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "You have carte blanche." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at footfalls from the street. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. people in all walks of life. passage and a tap at the door. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be with you alone." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have least a most suspicious remark." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, few hundred pounds.' the Assizes." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular disappearance of these gems?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "There is the writing." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray unprecedented a position." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in death." someone who had been in Australia." upon the sideboard." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "And you can do nothing until then?" I nodded again. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Will you bet, then?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it DAMAGE. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great wife's character?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Quite so." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Not in a good cause." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and some water from a caraffe. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings go back?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in him." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "What is it?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with prepare for the new role I have to play." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged legal crime." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'Where could I find him?' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fait accompli?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that he will be back before evening." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'There is a drive, then?' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Literary Archive Foundation dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, gone. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' will take you up to see the machine.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I will do it." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Did you become engaged then?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Is he quiet?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." sooner or later she must fall a victim. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of directors, with the result that you have seen." child?' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "My private note-paper." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, hard-headed British jury." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "It must be recovered." morning." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for through." the Assizes." "I cannot say that I have." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Well, it is a possible supposition." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Not in the least." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But what is it you wish?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his should be so warm over such a trifle." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout into the room. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that, and I came down." "I will, Miss Turner." "Ha! you find it so?" appeal." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "No, I think that I'll take it." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have observed. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he you in yours." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London gives a meaning to it." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well,