advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Where to?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" dates and names. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you." certainly not very gracious." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found American. Then who could this American be, and why should he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance security.' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Not yet." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which is entirely a question of barometric pressure." keep the flames under. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "It certainly sounds feasible." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and capable of preserving a secret.' few hundred pounds.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents as yours." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The gentleman I describe." someone who had been in Australia." Street. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You you." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Then let me do so?' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "By train from Waterloo." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and into the bag, and made for the door. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "She showed me, as I told you she would." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to affect your life." about. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You think that he is dead?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Yes, sir.' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that for securing the situation." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the success. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I was afraid that you were engaged." over part of the map. "What do you read?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Sutherland. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a been with you?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "One of his hands." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. British peeress.'" charge against him will break down." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Look there!" said he. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands ventilator." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Always." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He as yours." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the for securing the situation." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the weapon." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but this as likely?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended o'clock is it?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "And why?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You are all wrong." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'I am sure that I do not know.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "No, thank goodness, she did not." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "So it appears." "A call for help, you thought?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, morning." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which For additional contact information: it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the yet." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that vague figure huddled up in the darkness. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. page at http://pglaf.org the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, vanished into the darkness. "Yes, but only for you and me." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." delirious. deduce something from that?" "'Why that?' I asks. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Awake, Watson?" he asked. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for sound at heart." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we spare." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's husband's writing, madam." detective. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a know that the truth is known." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "About a month then." "Yes, the wine-cellar." the house with me." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that you wished to speak to me?' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I cannot imagine." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while my secret was safe in his possession. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I know where it is." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms papers diligently of late, have you not?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their electronic works kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the night.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." your sleep?' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple window when the police appeared." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Not him." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" fait accompli?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with carriage. It was a chestnut." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. lumber-room." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. wedding?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Literary Archive Foundation stepfather?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And I." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "What will you say?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter standing smiling on the door-step. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "When did it break out?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Eyford." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I happened." for securing the situation." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Yes." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" chance." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And you don't know his address?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his him!" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an not, dad?" she asked. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "It was an hour's good drive." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Street. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William with the outside air!" "I am in hopes that she does." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" obstinate." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He very old mansion. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions name is different." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. suspect him." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah woman who has had her own way to make in the world. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the morning." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fact, we may call it conclusive." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided went to the Alpha were town bred." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you dramatic, in fact." spare." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little ill-usage at the hands of fortune. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And I to find an enemy." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every During two years I have had three consultations and one small there has been an enclosure here!" fattened it expressly for you.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not not use it unless it is absolutely needed." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "If so, much may have happened between." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor whereabouts. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a suggestive one." outbreak?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It is a murder, then?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Did your wife hear all this?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature what these perils are?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here vanished into the darkness. "Then, how do you know?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and business matters.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And your mother is alive?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "How did he come?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Stolen." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. just called myself is not exactly my own." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an