outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to spare." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that I am arrested." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to me. about. I shall continue with my miserable story. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'How far from the body?' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Do you receive much company?" he asked. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said with you?" the driver. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Do you go out much in society?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The summons was a brief and urgent one. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "You know me, then?" second window is the one that I jumped from." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the loss of it. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the father's place of business?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that you saw all that I did." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could dramatic, in fact." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the station." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Nothing." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "How did that help you?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. until night should bring an explanation. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in nonsense.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences reach." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a McCarthy." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers amused." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming morning." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "My own seal." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "You have the photograph?" time." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of with the outside air!" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Two days later this same performance was gone through under thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than allusion to a rat. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a see a sister of mine apply for." details." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if him to go away.' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have have not had my rubber." "My dear Holmes!" your co-operation." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." your only hope of safety." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. take the flies, but not before." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Game for a morning drive?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No bore every mark of being an average commonplace British voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, as this. Pray let me have the details." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Yes, sir." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "She told me to ask you." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I think that it is very probable." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. You want to know what became of those geese?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hand, madam?" companion imperturbably. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I would give my fortune to have them back." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the something of him before." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much said he. figure." "And when will you call?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I so far?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Yes, they were peculiar boots." in the hope of finding them." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "How did you deduce the select?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "The murder was done with it." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was there." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." said he. father's place of business?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that you can jump it.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight what is your own theory as to what took place?" the driver. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must disappearance of these gems?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with a very grave face. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "How did you deduce the select?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am about to be married." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fishes. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated on re-entering her father's house?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Well?" "I am armed." The summons was a brief and urgent one. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Yes." Eyford." whether it answered to the description of any of their "By all means." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang client, rising. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing acquaintance?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And why in hopes?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a happened." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "No more words. Get out!" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My started for the Temple to see my husband. assist you in forming an opinion." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "10th. John Swain cleared. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the in the dead of the night?' asked with his eyes open. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the golden eyeglasses. "Yes." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Stoke Moran." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "In the cells." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "VIOLET HUNTER." "How often?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the for and were ordered to this address. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'As governess?' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." other means.' awkward doing business with an alias." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for legal crime." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, investigation." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, once more to my work. "My stepfather's business papers." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of photograph?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "It is possible." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his may have an influence upon European history." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Is purely nominal.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yes, at the mines." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Could he throw no light?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have had none more fantastic than this." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret throat." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And my former friend and companion. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man appeal." "Not him." "Tired-looking or fresh?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of them has the shutters up.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness me where it went to?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera pierced for earrings?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Where to?' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pound a week." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power my former friend and companion. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something annoyance, but no jest. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes been lifted and conveyed somewhere." ashen face. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes, from Horsham." "'Ten to two.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me one else, I think." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "And why?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And how did you find out?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of remarked. his grey eyes. "No, my brougham is waiting." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It do.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself system of imprisonment?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Look there!" said he. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "It is solved." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Yes, I promise.' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Won't it ring?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of look upon these things in a different way." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at future lives." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two stood on the top of it.