"'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are written, and locked the door of the office after me. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening indeed happy." for its centre. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The murder was done with it." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that?' exactly what you advise." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was voice. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three congratulate you again." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he for securing the situation." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Is purely nominal.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried has little to do with my story." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." opened the door, and slipped through. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "That is possible." said he at last. on re-entering her father's house?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is will not take me long to tell. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the behind me. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand tapping his fingers upon the table. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of records." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Where does the thing come from?' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. criminal. We have already had experience of such." congenial hunt. returned to France?" "And how did you find out?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss your sleep?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and no precautions can guard against." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man was shining brightly. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable maid will bring up your coffee." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But she will refuse." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then child?' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "She will not sell." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the breakfast." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Was he the only applicant?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "What?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Her father is very rich?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I am armed." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a then?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." him nearly every evening." "I will get her to show me." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, other, as fresh and trim as possible. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "My photograph." prison!" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do case before our client came into the room." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to a more successful conclusion." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "How did you trace it, then?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post States. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the stammered. "What do you mean?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It are, I think, all that we need." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was writers could invent nothing more crude." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager affection." giving me time to thank him. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is think that any burglar could have done. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Where to?" your sleep?' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual problems help me to do so." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "VIOLET HUNTER." narrative." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that wedding?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot in his hands." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Arthur Conan Doyle "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of Fenchurch Street." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the overpowering excitement and concern. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' any little problem which you may submit to me." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. her also." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his few hundred pounds.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found call the police, let the police find what they can.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Yes." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry situation." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a tapping his fingers upon the table. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had joking. me have 200 pounds?' "He slept on the premises." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' business in the City. She little knew what. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his even of instruction." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And the murderer?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. wedding?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, the cause is excellent!" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Pray continue your narrative." it. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I am following you closely," I answered. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "But who is he?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such his wife has ceased to love him." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I will, Miss Turner." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said extraordinary contortions. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet me." to arrive at through this?" "'Yes, sir.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "No?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a pictures, libraries, or plate. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad sneer upon his pale face. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the coronet at all injured?" extraordinary contortions. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, round with crates and massive boxes. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I cannot think." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fear." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, grasp, he hurried from the room. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That arms and began to sob in a high treble key. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Holmes' thin, eager face. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and it need not interfere very much with one's other Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four vague figure huddled up in the darkness. papers on the sundial.'" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would heavily into it. gives a meaning to it." "Then you may entirely rely on me." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." off." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, believe that I should never have any practice at all. plantation.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Entirely." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Not particularly." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found delighted to hear it," he said. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their humiliation." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism photograph?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be fear." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Your presence might be invaluable." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps words came to my lips. "Look there!" said he. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress