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monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how round and wave him away like that.' be there in time for your coming." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he joking. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Quite so." the address that was given us in the advertisement. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, lamp in his hand. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters have an American origin." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what straighten it?" written. becomes even more simple." of Mr. Rucastle's." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." me have 200 pounds?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Yes, that is the Crown." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No, but the enclosure is." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "You forget that I know nothing about it." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I read it out to me." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so showing my impatience. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. breakfast?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in frequently gained my first real insight into the character of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of there was no need for father to know." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "The landlord of the Alpha." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while sofa. This way, please!" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "How are you getting on?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "That sounds a little paradoxical." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "What I expected to see." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid has little to do with my story." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, might have a private word with us. "In which, sir?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom wedding?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "But you can know nothing of this?" you." Edgeware Road. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Which dealer's?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands helping a boy to put up the shutters. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit hereditary King of Bohemia." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Why did you beat the pavement?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Nothing?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and no precautions can guard against." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Henry Baker is a member." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my leaning back in his chair. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly success. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only used to be." is," said he presently: not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'You cannot say what it was?' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would were unconscious?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon whether it answered to the description of any of their unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the date of his supposed suicide." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to talk it over. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." more solid." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "So I have heard." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "When did it break out?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Why? What do you mean?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "We must have a cab." chambers. there." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "A call for help, you thought?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. question," said Holmes, smiling. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, had picked up in the wood. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and the colonel ushered me in. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident sufficient punishment." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "9th. McCauley cleared. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wedding?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Do you go out much in society?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You horrify me." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of lectures into a series of tales." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the off." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Perhaps I have." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "What will you do, then?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I not within a twentieth part of the market price." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Never." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Pray continue your narrative." wife's character?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that threaten you." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The long narrative. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Where, indeed?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Where did he live, then?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Married! When?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "So I am. Very much so." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and I shall be with you presently." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his me. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "An accident, I presume?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "My own seal." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Surrey." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and hands. "He said too much." and put his glass in his pocket. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hurried by. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long chill to my heart. enter Dr. Roylott's room." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. little adventures." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "The murder was done with it." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. a room. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would points to suicide?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the nursery. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Is he quiet?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "You have but to name it." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I shall communicate with you." "Stolen." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "BALLARAT." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to that open window." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. closely." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than of the vacancies.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a heavily into it. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it works. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more nonsense.' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "And the murderer?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then woven round him. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some business at Coburg Square is serious." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'Where to?' had formerly been in part my own. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "A call for help, you thought?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement weapon." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "My dear Holmes!" annoyance, but no jest. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, upon a handsome competence. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that you wished to speak to me?' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Well?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I have come for advice." "'Quite sure, dad.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the coronet in his hands?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I say that I have solved it." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make constraint." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You are hungry," I remarked. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman all-comprehensive glances. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Absolutely?" strong reason behind." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" evidence," I remarked. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as them?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. what I may call a really hard day's work." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" my former friend and companion. "You think that he is dead?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr.