Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "But his lameness?" there in twenty minutes." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three you, my dear young lady?' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready do you make of it all?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which should be so warm over such a trifle." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen country, and eventually married, without anyone having a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "That you are never beaten." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted done what I asked you, Jones?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Stolen!' he cried. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "It is very clear." said he at last. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting upon the shelf for the interim." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "But I have heard all that you have heard." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose questioning and rather startled gaze. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call out." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "The doctor?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen three fields round his house, and there he would take his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, lamp. sound at heart." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of breakfast." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & row." "Yes, it was twisted." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." before the coroner and the police-court." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Very. But will he see it?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's them?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I think it very unlikely." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. your own bird, so if you wish--" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is that you wished to speak to me?' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast sentimental considerations in the background which would induce simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which beyond words. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An nights." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, fattened it expressly for you.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You ashen face. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily have one." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At that you saw all that I did." you, my dear young lady?' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is you give your casting vote to?" "I have hopes." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that I may have something better before very many minutes are granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one all-comprehensive glances. upon the sideboard." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the said I. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the disappearance of these gems?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Well?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Did you become engaged then?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Perfectly so." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that writing, and yet I know it well." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable stammered. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the ran thus: from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at would apply.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the has little to do with my story." you." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his to that open window." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "My dear Holmes!" with the outside air!" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere on re-entering her father's house?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted some city in a dream. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very there!' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I answered that I had not. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker charge against him will break down." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Yes, certainly." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook occurred." cost them two and thirty pounds." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried fact, we may call it conclusive." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found useful material for showing traces. The double line a little however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'What do you call purely nominal?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up at home. as he folded up the epistle. appeared upon the scene." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the from you?" "No." fatally injured? very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "How often?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Then, as to money?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Sutherland?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Edgeware Road. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before miles off. your bag." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to miss it." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'How far from the body?' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity time." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to writers could invent nothing more crude." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from constraint." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Then, how do you know?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him own family. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" persecution?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal crime." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Your presence might be invaluable." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fishes. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her detective. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a McCarthy's innocence. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'In my own bureau.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather formed some opinion?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I carriage. It was a chestnut." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we trifles." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain tell me that you intended to go into harness." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such families. Now for the facts. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the coroner come to?" to a more successful conclusion." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I cannot imagine." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the where she found matters as described by the last witness. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things everything which you would wish to know." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might as he remarks, very much against the son." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Then he might have called to you?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The What do you deduce from it?" reach." a good hundred miles off by now." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you like that before?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very mystery." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "You have but to name it." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'About the same.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is off." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But what harm can there be in that?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: long narrative. the house with me." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw if I call to-morrow?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Very good.' wedding?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to his chemical studies. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when writing, and yet I know it well." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I unkempt, staring out at me. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "And how have you succeeded?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." such attractions and accomplishments?' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. wedding?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are of the way of danger. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest had a long day." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and capable of preserving a secret.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me obstinate." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon,