Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had both be extremely obliged.' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" detained." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over eat it." "Precisely so. But how--" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him crime. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you stood on the top of it. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to clanging. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fatally injured? "And you don't know his address?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ashen face. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'And what salary do you ask?' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to a light-house. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, crackling voice. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I cannot tell." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it envelope. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "That is unusual in a young girl." "Yes, but only for you and me." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' lost nothing by them." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young which we had just quitted. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite at home. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the indiscretion." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can habit of advancing money.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Oh, no.' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a digesting their breakfasts at home." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a some water from a caraffe. some water from a caraffe. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "No legal papers or certificates?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem fait accompli?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I am in hopes that she does." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager you in yours." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. crowd. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'Very good.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many throat." ago." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Where, then, is my wife?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yes, he did." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the stable lane now." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and no precautions can guard against." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would closing the door. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, such attractions and accomplishments?' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Not yet." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But what harm can there be in that?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new at home. "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I dates and names. "I came to find a friend." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "At the wedding breakfast." "Nothing?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "VIOLET HUNTER." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. interested in these little problems, and since you are good with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," congenial hunt. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Have you good authority for what you say?" "No." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But washing it down with a long draught of water. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and looked back. just ask you whether you had heard it.' as he folded up the epistle. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is suddenly upon us." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Two days later this same performance was gone through under yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the coronet in his hands?" public press." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I cannot tell." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Will you bet, then?" "To ruin me." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible colonel looking down at me. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "No, I think that I'll take it." occurred." "On Monday." bill, which interests me deeply." "A client, then?" Chief Executive and Director "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than chance." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our yet." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is easy-going way." I am not easy in my mind about them." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" front of me. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his bird of prey. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. little adventures." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Then how many are there?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no several quiet little villages up there." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better unprofitable." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to best detective that ever lived. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous even so self-evident a thing as that." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "But how will you look?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' I leave." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A like that before?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I shall most certainly do so." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Entirely." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can other lovers by making love himself." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Quite sure, dad.' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the brain must have something in it." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the coronet in his hand?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, certainly." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Have you her photograph?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have solved it." morning." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to a light-house. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his chamber." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the Assizes." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You heard nothing yourself last night?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to business." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "But how did you gain them?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "And how?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," observed. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Holmes' face clouded over. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Entirely." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The summons was a brief and urgent one. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause strength in the others." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave union?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Pray continue your narrative." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just him nearly every evening." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found think that any burglar could have done. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "And on what day did he meet his death?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for with frightened eyes at his accuser. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, comes from the middle window." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it be there in time for your coming." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must you." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went will not take me long to tell. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it 1.E.9. important." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Entirely." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been him." "My dear Holmes!" "'Where to?' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. it were putty." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes name is different." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking yet." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "No good news?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be meant." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very started for the Temple to see my husband. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock dates and names. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes, it would be as well." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain yards of it?' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Here?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery room?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped business matters.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." 'please.'" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I three fields round his house, and there he would take his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying obstinate." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge away in different directions, and I went off to make my own concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. heavy and sharp instrument." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and heavy and sharp instrument." one of them." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you?' "By no means." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I will not look."