"But his left-handedness." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally there has been an enclosure here!" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "If so, much may have happened between." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading most interesting one." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and me upon any point which I do not make clear." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried strength of mind to control. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Was he the only applicant?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Ten will be early enough." companion. direction." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You saw the ventilator, too?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds third from London." dates and names. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "And I to find an enemy." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his she slowly sank and died without having recovered her McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the tightly behind him. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, it." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. matter over." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done returned to France?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with plantation.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Sholtos." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes, it was twisted." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Count Von Kramm." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "By all means." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that recall any case within my experience which looked at the first had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "And help." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And that is--" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Miss Holder?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards up this clue while it is still hot." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I know where it is." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fear." and it need not interfere very much with one's other with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "So it appears." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Is he quiet?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in darkness. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak father's young wife. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third from the brougham. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being ready to-morrow?' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old weary and pale-looking. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his letters?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I am about to be married." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it your own bird, so if you wish--" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my are windows in it, of course?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You have a clue?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But what will you do?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive tell me that you intended to go into harness." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "That also I could fathom." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, green of the new foliage. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to salesman. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case intimate personal affairs in this public manner." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No sign of it?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, said he. it means?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and disappearance of these gems?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Witness: I must still refuse. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." you." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Witness: It was. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Holmes' face clouded over. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are have an American origin." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, wife's character?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not in one or two places in England?' child?' would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years disappearance of these gems?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "She told me to ask you." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Absolutely none." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up tell them apart.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to you." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "The King of Scandinavia." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "How do you know, then?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William McCarthy." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We how narrow had been my escape. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the seem to you to be relevant or not." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I will, Miss Turner." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "There is the writing." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager it." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to have been novel and of interest." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Thank you. And your address?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his face. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "To an end?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "None." quite distinctive." Gutenberg-tm License. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly beyond words. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I will, Miss Turner." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied business." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too spare." strong reason behind." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as help us in this matter." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You think that he is dead?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the over here." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own have established a very serious case against the son of the little trying to do so much typewriting?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "No, thank goodness, she did not." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, chemical work which was so dear to him. fait accompli?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a heavily into it. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the then?" him." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Then I can wait in the next room." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can For additional contact information: without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in so far?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and put his glass in his pocket. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, photograph a cabinet?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five gone. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." get her out of the way." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "No, finished." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I assure you that I am in your hands." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "And what did you learn from him?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love directors, with the result that you have seen." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I am still in the dark." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I cannot think." "Precisely so. But how--" His smile broadened. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a gentleman's clothes. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One congratulate you again." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is was already answered. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in a very precise fashion." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Sutherland?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand what these perils are?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Quite so. She has her freedom." seven miles from Eyford Station.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It may not come to that," said Holmes. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in his power. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, breakfast." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; a suggestive one." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself emerged. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that colonel looking down at me. you in yours." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had tassel actually lying upon the pillow. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "He slept on the premises." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "That is unusual in a young girl." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Which dealer's?' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough,