pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "No, I am descending." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled brandy and water within his reach. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "The landlord of the Alpha." the general public were present, then?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family lamp. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him whole matter to your consideration." "No, I think that I'll take it." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than bill, which interests me deeply." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen shoulder; "he's all right." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "But how will you look?" despair." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's my secret was safe in his possession. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "How do you know, then?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes. He waved his hands." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was back alive. "Why did you beat the pavement?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both long narrative. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and case-book, which he consulted. union?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the inquest, and which are worth considering." me where it went to?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of bedroom door." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of charge against him will break down." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very for and were ordered to this address. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his hurried by. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the inquest, and which are worth considering." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" something of him before." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon both be extremely obliged.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of have I gained?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was it brought him the coronet? "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? said he at last. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is which was all perfectly true. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he London for the present?" leave you to your papers for a little." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Precisely so. But how--" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my appeal." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You will not go there first?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked again." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Certainly." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Will you bet, then?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the coroner come to?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to allusion to a rat. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I will try. What is it?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the tragedy. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes could not have written that. It is the German who is so in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Never." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Very. But will he see it?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a are, I think, all that we need." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should weary and pale-looking. your room." not, dad?" she asked. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Not him." "Why, what do you mean?" fat-encircled eyes. said I. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one cheerful." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I experiences." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Do you know him?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most father's place of business?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go was the fact that his father should, according to his account, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to tackle the facts." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's call it cruel." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to one's self under obligations.' during that time.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This ways including including checks, online payments and credit card more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Henry Baker is a member." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It missed him, then?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she better in every way that they should make their position a little Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Eyford." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "How often?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "An enemy?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my see me here to avoid scandal." charge against him will break down." him nearly every evening." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from strong and stiff." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The best possible." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that he has suffered." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have do.' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the armchair which I pushed forward for him. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Awake, Watson?" he asked. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us as yours." that I may have something better before very many minutes are forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I approached. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." remarked. other means.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Watson," he said cordially. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite corner of the building. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you morning." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. pictures, libraries, or plate. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I stepfather?" companion imperturbably. his knees, staring into the fire. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And I." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I have solved it." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock returned to France?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp there in twenty minutes." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little might help us?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other hereditary King of Bohemia." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. III. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the several quiet little villages up there." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "And is that all?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. started for the Temple to see my husband. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott have accepted such a situation. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "The landlord of the Alpha." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the as he remarks, very much against the son." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, of the one which your family is now devouring." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a flock.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a rooms." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." late." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been long narrative. http://www.gutenberg.net "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "My photograph." weighed down with some great anxiety. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the himself in a perplexing position. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him just called myself is not exactly my own." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Very murderous indeed." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch was once confined in the cab my mission was practically This is what he says: "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "About a month then." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so McCarthy." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim hereditary King of Bohemia." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you understand?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "None." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? habit of advancing money.' round and wave him away like that.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'Yes, sir.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room you came in." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that John Swain, of St. Augustine. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could not within a twentieth part of the market price." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his