Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are it." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found so far?" "What! a murderous attack?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying anything to a woman, for she would have her way." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he always that they were such commands as a lady might with having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of it with the greatest attention. "Yes." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Certainly." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the following enigmatical notices: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were grasp, he hurried from the room. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Quite sure, dad.' to take care of herself." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency was keenly on my guard against him. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." over with notes and figures. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And you don't know his address?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And the cigar-holder?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I do." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Breckinridge is his name." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Not in a good cause." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which it had come upon my father." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "But how?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was it brought him the coronet? "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking unclasping of his long thin hands. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we touch that coronet?' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to all?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Have you her photograph?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to during which he might have communicated with his friend the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the that I can to serve you." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. province." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "By no means." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will so far?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the tragedy. secret." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds envelope. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I am sure." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless geese which you supplied to the Alpha." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have ourselves in the office." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "But what harm can there be in that?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some yet." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in disappearance of the bride.'" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "But we can't all be." made him keep the appointment." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this again." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to have that photograph." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger over part of the map. "What do you read?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." time." within hail.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "How did that help you?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face crime. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open is a common subject for conversation. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Where did he live, then?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the nursery. and a shock of very red hair. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "The vanishing of the lady." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic read over the extraordinary announcement. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all she used." carpenter." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has happened." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in into the bag, and made for the door. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "That was it, sir." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' key of the affair now." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to eavesdroppers?' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend distance from the station, and there we found the young lady not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Thank you. And your address?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." hair?' stood on the top of it. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "This concluded the examination of the witness." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips roused himself from his reverie. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "So I am. Very much so." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. possible that we could bring him back to her? what is your own theory as to what took place?" Street. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was bachelor.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." seven miles from Eyford Station.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in this way: think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching address. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I do." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that go--none." details." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls salesman. quick march!" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the hand, madam?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she there in twenty minutes." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have chance at all." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible room had already been engaged for us. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have electronic works "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I assure you that I am in your hands." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind there were one or two details which were new to me. But the nonsense.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." said Mr. Holder. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin is worth.' DAMAGE. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. hopeless attempt at recovering them." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What then?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his or other trace. But how on earth--" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the directors, with the result that you have seen." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned as the one I chose?' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "But his left-handedness." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Have you it here?" public press." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated III. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his companion quietly. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "In heaven's name, what for?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Never to return." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, bell. Holmes whistled. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'I have heard so.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. directors, with the result that you have seen." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate late." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But to whom?" "Only as much as we can deduce." dear old homesteads?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the night.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the Assizes." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. should be so warm over such a trifle." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." breakfast?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "What of the rat, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'What then?' I asked. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I get her out of the way." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of answered with a sidelong glance. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I shall communicate with you." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would