run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I am in hopes that she does." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Yes, only one." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." out of this horrible affair." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Nothing?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and all?" "'Yes, it was gone.' For additional contact information: who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Munro.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Eyford at 11:15.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. them?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the investigation." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for formed some opinion?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little perplexity from it to my illustrious client. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "In the cells." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, some city in a dream. strength in the others." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in him." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a all?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round it means?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' touch that coronet?' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to-morrow." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Then, as to money?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, you." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. comes from the middle window." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Was he the only applicant?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Ah!" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "In answer to an advertisement." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my October 9, 1890. advice." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have very old mansion. the inner apartment." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to for the market.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Ten to two.' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Have you her photograph?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been orange pips. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us was used.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered about. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own has little to do with my story." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Has he come with you to-night?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Not particularly." populous neighbourhood." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had no one to advise her at such a crisis." will take you up to see the machine.' Holmes' face clouded over. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "It missed him, then?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "What will you say?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my then?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. it. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night humiliation." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Imitated." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in disturbance in my wife." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I will do it." the warnings." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It is to him that this trophy belongs." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Certainly not. But why?' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use for its centre. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And what then?" cigars in their mouths. girl said." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." drove away. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there six. Come in!" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre is a common subject for conversation. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for way in." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and than to us. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was you?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Where is it, then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several for its centre. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Ah!" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think have got?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with as yours." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not have been better. It is all right." Holmes' face clouded over. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to letters?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Ample.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. for securing the situation." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to young Openshaw's." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not views." heavy and sharp instrument." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Heh?' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such crime. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her voice. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones pictures, libraries, or plate. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "But I have heard all that you have heard." union?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. had a long day." most interesting one." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that national property. I was determined that the law should have its Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Was he the only applicant?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back within hail.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I have it here in my museum." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "How did you deduce the select?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be call for it in person on Monday morning.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the nursery. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Cross for the Continent." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange out of this horrible affair." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. entirely devoid of interest." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar hereditary King of Bohemia." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "To the police?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a bird I ate is country bred." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow even of instruction." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the Assizes." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on beyond words. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was to change my dress. business." crime." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I fear not." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital at my own good fortune. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call within hail.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and capable of preserving a secret.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He you." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "That you are never beaten." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he how narrow had been my escape. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Watson," he said cordially. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some seem to you to be relevant or not." stammered. chair. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" chance." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "The rest you will leave in our hands." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. strode off upon his way. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed criminal. We have already had experience of such." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Pope's Court. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you was used.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed could go. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the question. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary it." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "And your mother is alive?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which charged with?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Yes, sir.' "My photograph." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime once more for Briony Lodge. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional envelope. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Perhaps we may make them less so." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Yes, sir.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than directors, with the result that you have seen." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "What is it, then--a fire?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Never,' said I.