have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. so far?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had least a fellow-countryman. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him carried out of court." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Doctor, of the paper and the date." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "When did it break out?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over strong and stiff." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his such attractions and accomplishments?' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon round and wave him away like that.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his away into the river." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to is acting for the best. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Clair, of Lee." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you, my dear young lady?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in one or two places in England?' humiliation." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my question. "Will you go?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and no precautions can guard against." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You know me, then?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it if only as a check to my own memory." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more now. It seems that there had been some informality about their had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "None." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your face and glided from the room. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some where we are going." it right.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to affect your life." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'Is purely nominal.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and union?" washing it down with a long draught of water. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' several quiet little villages up there." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and which our visitor detailed to us. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Where, then?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Could he throw no light?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then I am your man." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and laid it on the table. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the success. "Not yet." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "But we can't all be." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "That was it, sir." you." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' round and wave him away like that.' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And why in hopes?" ourselves in the office." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "It's nothing of the kind." there was no need for father to know." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "My own seal." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Tell me all about it,' said I. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hair?' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its of Mr. Rucastle's." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "On your arm?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "An enemy?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I say that I have solved it." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and a shock of very red hair. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" highroad, where all traces were lost. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Gutenberg-tm License. "And why?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the indiscretion." one's self under obligations.' new duties?' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "May I see it?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a became a certainty. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 be. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever I. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view disappearance of the bride.'" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "The murder was done with it." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at him, that man would not have given me such complete information no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend again, where I was soon asleep. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "But your client--" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in outside. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "You were travelling in the States?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'I shall certainly be there.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up shall not find me ungrateful." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and look dissatisfied." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You horrify me." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable neither fascinating nor artistic." "Frequently." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Then I can wait in the next room." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And the cigar-holder?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United most important business. It is probable that he will be away all together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry must compliment you." Chief Executive and Director Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider quite distinctive." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'I shall certainly be there.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the as noiselessly as she had come. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "That is not always so easy." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Could he throw no light?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Look there!" said he. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. highly," said Holmes. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place eavesdroppers?' about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Quite so." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "How on earth--" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." in his power. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'And the work?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." could gather together that I was able to avert another public happened." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "He disappeared so suddenly." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and opened the door, and slipped through. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the room had already been engaged for us. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his address. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in becomes even more simple." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, nonsense.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes, that is the Crown." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which we had just quitted. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It is to him that this trophy belongs." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. back into the street. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose is four-and-twenty." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements used to be." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You have the photograph?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "So it appears." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You were travelling in the States?" strong reason behind." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away not, dad?" she asked. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, did not hear it also.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." narrative." "Was your sister dressed?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing compunction about shooting them down." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more my former friend and companion. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she indiscretion." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not hands. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the Assizes." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his face. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a on in his house." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the photograph?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the floor. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no a suggestive one." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and glanced through. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Which dealer's?' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "His face fell immediately. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a