"You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "The doctor?" noble correspondent could be. "Just look it up, then." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But not more so than I to find you." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "None." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And why?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I may never be exposed to such a temptation." papers diligently of late, have you not?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a room. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to fled together." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw highly," said Holmes. "You horrify me!" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Who by?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and know all about it," he snarled. kindly on the shoulder. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a open." annoyance, but no jest. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, mysterious business." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' chambers. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you you understand?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, been able to understand it, in a very few words. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "What then?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, happened." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Just look it up, then." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door straighten it?" "What is it, then--a fire?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you looking up at the numbers of the houses." me. You must get home instantly and act." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I would pay ten." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the salesman. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a him to go away.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that I may have something better before very many minutes are ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the cigar and let me expound." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the occurred." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from his fortune, and I went back to pa. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous both be extremely obliged.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to other lovers by making love himself." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "He slept on the premises." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'And what salary do you ask?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who had this final quarrel? and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in suddenly upon us." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "And leave your case unfinished?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two conduct the inquiry." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "What can you not understand?" your bag." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of this gang." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "They are typewritten," I remarked. "The Coroner: What do you mean? you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you than to us. out." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in entirely devoid of interest." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I fear not." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'I shall certainly be there.' already been minutely examined." "I guessed as much." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And did you observe any change in her then?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. secret." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes." her also." was already answered. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Was he the only applicant?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make you?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had go back?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. were wasted." he. in a friendly supper." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "No, distinctly professional." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove right! Sit down and let us talk it over." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of his shoulders. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, exactly what you advise." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But what harm can there be in that?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his neither fascinating nor artistic." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I say it is." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "My stepfather's business papers." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the address that was given us in the advertisement. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance system of imprisonment?" extraordinary contortions. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'And what salary do you ask?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there delirious. "And leave your case unfinished?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your memory. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our closely." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Yes." strode off upon his way. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for business." cigar and let me expound." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the station." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did depend upon my doing so.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them instituted." "In answer to an advertisement." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I bill, which interests me deeply." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that your only hope of safety." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And why in hopes?" outbreak?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a when you have done it." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always distinguish the words: maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, second window is the one that I jumped from." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE up this clue while it is still hot." in darkness. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Project Gutenberg-tm works. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, criminal. We have already had experience of such." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend me. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, questionable one." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed lectures into a series of tales." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left for its centre. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Not social, then?" Pope's Court. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'Quite sure, dad.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You'll never persuade me to believe that." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Miss Holder?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about me." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should nothing of it?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "What then?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "How did you deduce the select?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads DISSOLVED. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my our word." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm did not hear it also.' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," coat-tails." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Ample." the matter?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not yourselves in at night?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Entirely." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home held up the lantern and gazed about him.