"You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Entirely." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "What then?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "She walked into the breakfast-room." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual round and wave him away like that.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary how narrow had been my escape. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it until night should bring an explanation. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having tassel actually lying upon the pillow. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the general public were present, then?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had south, for the country is more deserted there." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right must be when I saw the door open.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," it." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few things are very often connected not with the larger but with the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "It is possible." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for little trying to do so much typewriting?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And was already answered. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and there when the Rucastles went away." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'There is a drive, then?' to tell." towards the blaze. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the so-precious time, but come!' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I will, Miss Turner." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, sir." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has charge against him will break down." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled leave you to your papers for a little." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hour?' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the Assizes." "None. Neville wrote those words." "I never have." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Holmes." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "What do you mean?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "To ruin me." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we a good hundred miles off by now." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Surrey." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." writer." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been over with notes and figures. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to talk it over. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "No, but the enclosure is." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature this as likely?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a following enigmatical notices: "Thank you. Pray proceed." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally giving me time to thank him. was lame." a little more before I quite committed myself. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "No sign of it?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "An accident, I presume?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the annoyance, but no jest. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" money should be paid at once.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, instincts rose up against that laugh. next day. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had this poor creature." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of his shoulders. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "That you are never beaten." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Yesterday." "But his left-handedness." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those outside. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. she might be summoned. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed conclusions. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nonsense.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the was already answered. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Countess of Morcar's?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, showing my impatience. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are bell. Holmes whistled. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I approached. "Where did he live, then?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open room. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between them?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police know all about it," he snarled. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Well, but China?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one think that he is innocent?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And sit in the dark?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as goes." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, is four-and-twenty." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Dark enough and sinister enough." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "What?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "When did she vanish, then?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "To an English lawyer named Norton." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "It is possible." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been bedroom door." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "My dear Holmes!" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "9th. McCauley cleared. "And you can do nothing until then?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Look there!" said he. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to affect your life." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not fatally injured? "'Yes, I promise.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." used to be." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on stalked out of the room. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a second window is the one that I jumped from." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the must compliment you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I was concerned in it." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to least a fellow-countryman. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might towards the blaze. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "At half-wages, in fact." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I don't believe it." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do of receipt of the work. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Holmes' room. "None." where she found matters as described by the last witness. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Where, then?" "Stolen, then." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past promised to bring home. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more http://www.gutenberg.net salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and were unconscious?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, keep the flames under. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes. He waved his hands." at a side door. "No sign of it?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. fled together." the running down." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door despaired of." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "That is unusual in a young girl." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and him to be an active member of the medical profession." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those dead, shall be safe with us." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Deserted you?" garden below. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'I shall certainly be there.' get the tickets." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "We have tried and failed." "I am all attention, madam." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." affection." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it some mystery and the punishment of some crime." residence of the great financier. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. seven miles from Eyford Station.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Deserted you?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "The King of Scandinavia." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Munro.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am success. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the coronet in his hands?" McCarthy." questioning and rather startled gaze. the warnings." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no which our visitor detailed to us. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. whatever might befall. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that threaten you." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. morning." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bachelor.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little train from Paddington which would bring you there at about