"Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that he will be back before evening." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the general public were present, then?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Indeed! Whose, then?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and it need not interfere very much with one's other marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What!" he roared. "VIOLET HUNTER." "Can I be of assistance?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need throat." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And I." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Certainly not. But why?' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, friend's singular character. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that heavy and sharp instrument." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily everything which you would wish to know." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a learned something! Where are the gems?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands III. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Of Friday, June 19th." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out was lame." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside there were so many in the whole country as were brought together that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It was." better grown goose." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Was there a secret marriage?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Quite sure, dad.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in point in the dark hollow of his hand. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at very peculiar words of the dying woman?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'What then?' I asked. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to-night." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards could go. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I three of the beryls in it, was missing. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Holmes." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened it with his own hands." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. must be when I saw the door open.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "But how did you gain them?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Is he quiet?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Where did you address your letters, then?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. pound a week." was it brought him the coronet? Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out conduct the inquiry." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us business came to an end." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Not in a good cause." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no children over to America with him, so that I found myself without leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Thank you. And your address?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes, all." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to me. think you a quite exceptional woman." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If writing, and yet I know it well." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Nearly eleven." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in darkness. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes, but only for you and me." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Then how many are there?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. foresight and the moral retrogression?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and photograph?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Oh, fresh and glossy." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Entirely." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent enter into my head. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said bonnet, and went out." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest you for a few hours?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. chair. tell them apart.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." jewels which you have stolen?' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said most interesting one." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his of." front of me. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Precisely." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I know where it is." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a occupations.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door four million human beings all jostling each other within the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being have I gained?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "And how?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones closely." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Stoke Moran." "I never have." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "On Monday." the very morning of the wedding." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of your young ladies.' "Quite so." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "It is half-past ten now." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy narrative." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a here." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "That is possible." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'There is a drive, then?' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Could he throw no light?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at page at http://pglaf.org "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business see me here to avoid scandal." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when a very grave face. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The doctor?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy mysterious end." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I should be so warm over such a trifle." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me records." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's leave you to your papers for a little." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And I say east," said my patient. "Always." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the what do you think they found in the pockets?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to-night." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a them?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'You cannot say what it was?' said he. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all village inn over there?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on there is a decided draught." "The King of Scandinavia." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes looking up at the numbers of the houses." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wedding?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Where does the thing come from?' back to my heart. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Absolutely?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "The Coroner: What do you mean? any." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was money should be paid at once.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Witness: Nothing definite. the inquest, and which are worth considering." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet been anything against him. He had for years been known as a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You have carte blanche." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, maiden herself was most instructive." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. wedding?" his huge brown hands. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "By all means." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But how?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped not, dad?" she asked. seven miles from Eyford Station.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I think it very unlikely." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "She walked into the breakfast-room." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a writing, and yet I know it well." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all light and attacked it." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "But how will you look?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Where is it, then?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your chamber." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Never." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many little adventures." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his families. Now for the facts. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he upon a handsome competence. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Where, then?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of very morning of my second wedding." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments about here speaks of his kindness to him." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has