quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'What do you call purely nominal?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Dark enough and sinister enough." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Oh, no.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with brought there to personate someone, and the real person is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for such person." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "They are typewritten," I remarked. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or was feeling which was the fattest.' have an American origin." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and laid it on the table. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Why, what do you mean?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. look dissatisfied." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "It looks newer than the other things?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt this poor creature." shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I nodded again. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And the murderer?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, respectable self." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "But he might be a bachelor." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I whatever might befall. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute main points of my analysis." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "To the police?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed spare." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All be. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their own family. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations his knees, staring into the fire. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass clang of the bell. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Holmes, the busybody!" John Swain, of St. Augustine. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my as this. Pray let me have the details." "You think so, too?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had papers." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." case before our client came into the room." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "But who is he?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside said he, "my real name is James Ryder." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the stable lane now." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "May I see it?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and better in every way that they should make their position a little his forehead." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be later, upon the night of May 2nd." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that before taking the final step I should like to submit the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged assist you in forming an opinion." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "How can you tell that?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your trifles." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have might help us?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hour." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, once more for Briony Lodge. "'Why that?' I asks. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice whole matter to your consideration." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his cigar and let me expound." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Was your sister dressed?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the Red-headed League." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular least a most suspicious remark." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes, he did." "How did you trace it, then?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "And why?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man who was a member of your goose club." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the village inn over there?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "That you are never beaten." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and effective." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain here." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had must be when I saw the door open.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. even of instruction." a monotonous occupation." there." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Pope's Court. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Well, it is a possible supposition." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. over part of the map. "What do you read?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You have compromised yourself seriously." away to you." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Has he come with you to-night?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You'll never persuade me to believe that." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a photograph?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. morning." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been there was no need for father to know." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have way in." and effective." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "But of what society?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Pool. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "The King of Scandinavia." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable own family. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'And the work?' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never at a side door. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and with some details as to your case." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. too. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Then you may entirely rely on me." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country considering the formidable letters which were received by himself some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a definite end. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the station." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Where to?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' there was no need for father to know." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in instincts rose up against that laugh. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman congratulate you again." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons them?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My For additional contact information: "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow http://gutenberg.net/license). often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that clanging. felt the room to be a little close.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the matter." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the stones. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Oh, yes, easily." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I has little to do with my story." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to that to a light-house. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in During two years I have had three consultations and one small of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "And leave your case unfinished?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "About a month then." "Who was the criminal, then?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Is he quiet?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each prison!" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the coronet at all injured?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of nonsense.' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just questioning and rather startled gaze. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the nursery. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the main points of my analysis." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Not yet." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard hard-headed British jury." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Quite so." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It is a murder, then?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded 11:15.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still way in." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Has he come with you to-night?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the colour had been driven from his face. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He manager. "I am armed." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Yes." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. my room." "On the contrary, this is the right side." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it examination of the premises, but without finding anything which sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand speckled band?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with DAMAGE. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of