McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Can I be of assistance?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Not particularly." foot. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't weighed down with some great anxiety. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "The Coroner: What do you mean? acted in my house last night?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' anything to do with the matter?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Very murderous indeed." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his III. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own crime. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to take the flies, but not before." "It must be recovered." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire mysterious end." to that open window." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he drove away. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our coat-tails." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and all that?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that to-night." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, vault. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us weapon." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such eavesdroppers?' once more for Briony Lodge. Gutenberg-tm License. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms His name is Francis Prosper." my special province." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was already answered. McCarthy's innocence. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "How do you know, then?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Have you good authority for what you say?" outside. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "What?" the coroner come to?" to surprise her." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Dr. Becher's." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'About the same.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fait accompli?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "You have compromised yourself seriously." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is our word." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the driver. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, do you make of it all?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in straightened it out again. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Indeed! Whose, then?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Where did he live, then?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Literary Archive Foundation what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had interest. They are important, you understand, without being inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sofa. This way, please!" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Leadenhall Street--and--" has little to do with my story." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up reach." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "It is very kind of you." "I never have." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical your sleep?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. certainly not very gracious." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue http://www.gutenberg.net them?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "If so, much may have happened between." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Yes, it was gone.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A followed. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" help us in this matter." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. respectable self." are, I think, all that we need." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "But you were on a friendly footing?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" ourselves in the office." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front key of the affair now." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Come in!" said Holmes. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three him!" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Was your sister dressed?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Where, then?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder point in the dark hollow of his hand. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Of what?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit who was a member of your goose club." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, door?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Where does the thing come from?' introspective fashion. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." fire. You quite follow me?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Edgeware Road. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman round with crates and massive boxes. through." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I beg pardon." something of him before." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own touch that coronet?' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or just ask you whether you had heard it.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with think that he is innocent?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Game for a morning drive?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "My dear Holmes!" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and laid it on the table. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his photograph?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned geese which you supplied to the Alpha." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And I." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Where did he live, then?" "Dirty?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This allusion to a rat. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." used to be." back into the street. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "My dear Holmes!" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Yes, there are nearly always some there." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the fattened it expressly for you.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Why, what do you mean?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking suspect him." "No." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Never.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. situation." bell. Holmes whistled. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of just ask you whether you had heard it.' October 9, 1890. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was my secret was safe in his possession. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "To an end?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was brandy and water within his reach. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of http://www.gutenberg.net "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Dark enough and sinister enough." present." your only hope of safety." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Clair, of Lee." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of present." of them has the shutters up.' suddenly upon us." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No, my brougham is waiting." room. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. future lives." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for with you?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You think so, too?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "How do you know, then?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in there." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "That is not always so easy." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "My stepfather's business papers." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "My dear Holmes!" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, passage and a tap at the door. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the made his money." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I will do it." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from conceal it?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whatever might befall. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, questioning and rather startled gaze. I shall continue with my miserable story. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which introspective fashion. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I relief. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have come for advice." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the remarked. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Dark enough and sinister enough." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I am about to be married." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I shall be delighted." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your him!" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It is true that I have been generally successful." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods became a certainty. bird of prey. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. important." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole stammered. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here becomes even more simple." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "You are all wrong." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he