while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I took the paper from him and read as follows: prison!" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Fenchurch Street." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Yes, it was gone.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." all?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What have you to say now?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from any more." "It surprised me." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." national property. I was determined that the law should have its strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security tell me that you intended to go into harness." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Did you observe the colour?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "At what time?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in His name is Francis Prosper." discontent upon his features. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "So I have heard." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in voice. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." me. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, some hundreds of times." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they daring than any effort of the imagination." was a loud and authoritative tap. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I will do it." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Look there!" said he. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous do.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. confronted him. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Serpentine Avenue. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous whereabouts. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the companion imperturbably. tear off another piece?' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "And the murderer?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No good news?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Was there a secret marriage?" "'And the work?' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'And the work?' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all paper in the air. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But what is it you wish?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in digesting their breakfasts at home." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide are, I think, all that we need." "Eh? What was that?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many me. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And the murderer?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, at the mines." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us all that?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "What?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some with you alone." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to hand, madam?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest disappearance of the bride.'" cigars in their mouths. bearing upon the case." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident in the dead of the night?' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Then I am your man." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Countess of Morcar's?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It is possible." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed following enigmatical notices: of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of the way of danger. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Has he come with you to-night?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental stepfather?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I never have." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "What have you to say now?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that name is different." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, best detective that ever lived. "Did you observe the colour?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that you can jump it.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. past. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'There is a drive, then?' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "There are none." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a for and were ordered to this address. "That's no good." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian second." article?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless opportunities to fix the problem. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. himself in a perplexing position. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Stoke Moran?" said he. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "So it appears." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in observed. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And papers diligently of late, have you not?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "And Irene Adler?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy tassel actually lying upon the pillow. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the nothing of it?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I have seen the police." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your night.' said he. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "A confidential servant?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was should be taken.' what these perils are?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the tear off another piece?' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I know where it is." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one sofa. This way, please!" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to that open window." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "One?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the inner apartment." "'Where to?' this Miss Turner." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated returned to France?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. even of instruction." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, system of imprisonment?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "A client, then?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, depend upon your compliance." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I should be immensely obliged to you." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "No sign of it?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And the murderer?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird my special province." "There are none." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime occurred." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I beg pardon." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hour?' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I promise," said Holmes. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to heavy and sharp instrument." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, sir." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the date of his supposed suicide." "In answer to an advertisement." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Yes, sir." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me think that any burglar could have done. to-morrow." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This as the one I chose?' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came place of silver." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the what is your own theory as to what took place?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers breakfast?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "In answer to an advertisement." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest weary and pale-looking. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his absorbing." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes, the wine-cellar." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given character. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And for present expenses?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and without a word or a look. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "That's no good." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these who was a member of your goose club." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cigars in their mouths. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed outside. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "It is very clear." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both good for you to do.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though mystery may be cleared along those lines." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "He is dead," cried several voices. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as bird I ate is country bred." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,'