she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a London for the present?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Entirely." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Witness: It was. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the nursery. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy His smile broadened. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and four million human beings all jostling each other within the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Why that?' I asks. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. hand, madam?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "It was an hour's good drive." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was already answered. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Where did he live, then?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "No, I think that I'll take it." to have been novel and of interest." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such into her hand at the door and which lured her within their he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole families. Now for the facts. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek you." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the rose-bushes. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the iron safe, which he closed upon it. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "No, I think that I'll take it." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What! You do not mean bodies?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Project Gutenberg-tm works. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless ways including including checks, online payments and credit card star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Foundation presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of me where it went to?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" has little to do with my story." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a to-night?' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it be best to do. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'What are you doing there?' he asked. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "And on what day did he meet his death?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, dramatic, in fact." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. you want, then?' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the matter." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' leaning back in his chair. "So I heard. You have him here?" "Where, then?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such entirely devoid of interest." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Cross for the Continent." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Get out!" said he. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I everything which you would wish to know." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. address. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "At what time?" said he. his face which made him a very different person to the round, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet rose-bushes. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution man. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "In heaven's name, what for?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "But to whom?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "This concluded the examination of the witness." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, some hundreds of times." unkempt, staring out at me. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Mary, has deserted me." "None. Neville wrote those words." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But the mystery?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "What steps will you take?" I asked. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to My friend smiled. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of his shoulders. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of observed. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "So I have heard." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story cost them two and thirty pounds." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, better in every way that they should make their position a little his huge brown hands. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were get the tickets." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker fatally injured? place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a past. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking be.' Clair, of Lee." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past II. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Quite so. She has her freedom." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "You know me, then?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I am armed." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fishes. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." back into the street. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in bird of prey. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Where to?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have or other trace. But how on earth--" "It was an hour's good drive." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Proceed, then." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else impression behind it as though a window had gently closed story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Which are?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "No sign of it?" "Here?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no cheerful." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "How did he come?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a at home. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his your room." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, six. Come in!" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** depend upon your compliance." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Very much so." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I chill to my heart. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the dangers which encompass me." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass chance at all." were unconscious?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which your billet.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a astonishment. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings heavily into it. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "And who is her maid?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. him and tried to hold him back. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sparkled upon his finger. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "You think so, too?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness brought there to personate someone, and the real person is perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of this gang." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Yes." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow I. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close definite end. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive spare." unkempt, staring out at me. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to Leatherhead. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "What then?" have not had my rubber." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You were travelling in the States?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any 1.E.9. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you washing it down with a long draught of water. sparkled upon his finger. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I go--none." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if of." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of official police." "By no means." less than 26s. 4d. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. furiously. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. drove away. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Upon what point?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I to arrive at through this?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No. What a strange idea!" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very it." upon an income of about 60 pounds." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine keep the flames under. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the house with me." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a monotonous occupation." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Certainly,' I answered. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Oh, the cause is excellent!" passage and a tap at the door. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so stammered. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And Irene Adler?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Your presence might be invaluable." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to allusion to a rat. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there compunction about shooting them down." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Not particularly." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a lost his Christmas dinner." placed his cuttings. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each