"When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "But he might be a bachelor." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "One of his hands." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to followed. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to felt?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and him!" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I don't believe it." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has know what is wrong with it.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." together. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is carpenter." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "No, but the enclosure is." prepare for the new role I have to play." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that?' questioning and rather startled gaze. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London drawing your inferences." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What is it, then--a fire?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that, and I came down." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see your Highness to the police-station?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project you." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, you for a few hours?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible lamp. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Dark enough and sinister enough." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can yards of it?' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Always." strong and stiff." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for beyond words. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the house with me." be best to do. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "How many? I don't know." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months sneer upon his pale face. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and the church but not where the lady lived." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And how?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Yes. He waved his hands." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite she to prove their authenticity?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have been better. It is all right." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London not personally threatened." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "And sit in the dark?" yourselves in at night?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to already been minutely examined." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." empty. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bears upon the case?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as disappearance of these gems?" the window, rose as we entered. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk shadow pass over his face as I spoke. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend cigars in their mouths. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the face and glided from the room. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a fear." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of the vacancies.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to down. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce is a common subject for conversation. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." coat-tails." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. danger is over." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "What, then, did Peterson do?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped said he. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" a room. business matters.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure place no limit on the sum I may draw." which it had come upon my father." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "In answer to an advertisement." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "You have a clue?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Chief Executive and Director it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Where, then?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the room while you explain this matter?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "What!" he roared. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, trying to your nerves." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me annoyance, but no jest. fled together." already been minutely examined." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Holmes, the busybody!" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we habit of advancing money.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I over here." dramatic, in fact." society." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "What?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must in a friendly supper." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of his shoulders. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of you." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; maiden herself was most instructive." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord neither fascinating nor artistic." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Texas, I think." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and some city in a dream. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or fishes. it." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I do." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The sound at heart." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' strong and stiff." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very matter." McCarthy's innocence. "Nothing." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Texas, I think." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the King without delay." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for populous neighbourhood." "How often?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good good for you to do.' "Pray continue your narrative." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Oh, the cause is excellent!" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "One of his hands." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "In answer to an advertisement." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "In the cells." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far at my remark. goes." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small papers." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall three fields round his house, and there he would take his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Yes." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "That was it, sir." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as something of him before." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan we went to search for him, face downward in a little never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not enter into my head. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "His face fell immediately. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. man. I know him from the photograph." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your most interesting one." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for were wasted." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "The gentleman I describe." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about head. So long, then!" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I am armed." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that go from here to the Strand." posted to-day." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the driver. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. morning." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, knowledge of the world." and no precautions can guard against." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "The Cedars?" to a more successful conclusion." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Cross for the Continent." "I should like to see him very much." "I am sure." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Texas, I think." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a excitement. is a common subject for conversation. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their