a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. any more." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "About a month then." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. been able to understand it, in a very few words. I shall continue with my miserable story. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have murdered man." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling beg that you will break it off." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any existence." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not spark where all is dark to me." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Where, indeed?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and gone. late." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes, it would be as well." once more. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," peculiar to him. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the away into the river." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I late." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their status with the IRS. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's ill-usage at the hands of fortune. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Tell me all about it,' said I. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Certainly." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It missed him, then?" what these perils are?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she some terrible trap for her." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "And you thought he was pulled back?" too. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "She told me to ask you." "I cannot say that I have." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" eavesdroppers?' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of made his money." and a shock of very red hair. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange chair. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly helping a boy to put up the shutters. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from you?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "No." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You think that he is dead?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" once more. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he shall use the carriage to-night." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view considering the formidable letters which were received by himself heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case golden eyeglasses. "Precisely." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to surprise her." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "What have you to say now?" "I have a cab outside." lost nothing by them." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "On Monday." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near is four-and-twenty." long narrative. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Count Von Kramm." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It is possible." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a have one." morning." "Very murderous indeed." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this remarkable episode. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds introspective fashion. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I would give my fortune to have them back." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "How did he come?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the inquest, and which are worth considering." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Holmes' thin, eager face. me have 200 pounds?' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes." "Quite so." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got His smile broadened. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander upon the shelf for the interim." "Imitated." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," only touch the interest." eavesdroppers?' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to wall." "I was mad--insane." followed. meant it for the best. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sneer upon his pale face. ago." important." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that he will be back before evening." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Certainly not.' Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with awkward doing business with an alias." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That is unusual in a young girl." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "My Mary? Impossible!" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "It is half-past ten now." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon crime. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, cigar and let me expound." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," over part of the map. "What do you read?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so strong and stiff." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Watson," he said cordially. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Your French gold?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." public press." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the upon the white wrist. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner II. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'Yes.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right ago." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I have been better. It is all right." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Can I be of assistance?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and occurred." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. spark where all is dark to me." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in she to prove their authenticity?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "May I see it?" views." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "But how will you look?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this towards the blaze. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at easy-going way." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Pray tell us what has happened to you." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strength in the others." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes, but only for you and me." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the highly," said Holmes. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it unprecedented a position." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where new duties?' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Pray do so." "Well?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "You were travelling in the States?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Yes, I promise.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the been with you?" salesman. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And why?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Tired-looking or fresh?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I should be immensely obliged to you." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fish-monger and a tide-waiter." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, own family. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks and the whole place is in a blaze." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "How many? I don't know." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Serpentine Avenue. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the running down." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait on re-entering her father's house?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he have an American origin." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. annoyance, but no jest. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "She told me to ask you." "How do you know, then?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Imitated." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "At half-wages, in fact." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine voice, changing her seat as requested. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales strong and stiff." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to investigation." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and friend's singular character. call it cruel." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, presented more singular features than that which was associated that threaten you." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of forecastle of an emigrant ship. "The vanishing of the lady." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I will get her to show me." shoulder. goes." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Very good.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, plantation.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young a very grave face. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "But his left-handedness." correct than the official force." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain