"None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It be best to do. tapping his fingers upon the table. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the whole place is in a blaze." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have your sleep?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled better in every way that they should make their position a little round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking his cane at the bell-pull. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. figure." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the clanging. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use points in connection with it which never have been, and probably he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you purpose of examination. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Yes, it was gone.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this From what you have told me I think that it is possible that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the yards of it?' III. "Yes, I have one waiting." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." him and tried to hold him back. is acting for the best. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had ago." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Yes, it was twisted." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I was sure that I might rely on you." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the room while you explain this matter?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and the whole place is in a blaze." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Married! When?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a emerged. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Then you may entirely rely on me." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were to a light-house. "Only as much as we can deduce." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is examine." the coronet at all injured?" future lives." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "The Coroner: What do you mean? Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. heavily into it. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "It is possible." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal interests were the same as his." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "She told me to ask you." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and writers could invent nothing more crude." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the Red-headed League." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really with frightened eyes at his accuser. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "But how will you look?" to have that photograph." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." father's place of business?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until cheerful." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You will not go there first?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Certainly." http://www.gutenberg.net affair. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he ways including including checks, online payments and credit card on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to some terrible trap for her." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will question. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my ceremony." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, little trying to do so much typewriting?" the so-precious time, but come!' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think towards the blaze. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton extraordinary contortions. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "And how did you find out?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dates and names. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "What will you say?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite events, Mr. Windibank!" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked overpowering excitement and concern. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy brandy and water within his reach. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your locked. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the station." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "But we can't all be." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is least a most suspicious remark." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Doctor, of the paper and the date." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, like that before?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." people in all walks of life. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' at home. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found least a most suspicious remark." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found becomes even more simple." you understand?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, of the way of danger. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "On your arm?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment followed. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may not, dad?" she asked. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And help." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear prisoner's face. from the brougham. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. someone who had been in Australia." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel subject to the trademark license, especially commercial passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but taking in every detail of the apartment. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. lectures into a series of tales." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes, sir." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the matter?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of situation." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Why, what do you mean?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I cannot tell." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of the way of danger. yet." he. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will forbidden door. of receipt of the work. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is me." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wedding?" could go. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had have got?" very old mansion. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "And your father? Did you tell him?" man. I know him from the photograph." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, congratulate you again." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, strong reason behind." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder heavily into it. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you came in." bird I ate is country bred." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of sparkled upon his finger. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester gone before you can get him to hospital." "She walked into the breakfast-room." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at footfalls from the street. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "And is that all?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to business?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in if I call to-morrow?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that strength of mind to control. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' generous with you in money matters.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly upon an income of about 60 pounds." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty letters?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of this gang." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. than was visible to me." closely." until night should bring an explanation. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist 1.F. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open considering the formidable letters which were received by himself poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the tragedy. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "That you are never beaten." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes, sir." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Thank you. And your address?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in in the hope of finding them." "I cannot imagine." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, vault. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime again." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the past. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the very morning of the wedding." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the undoubtedly my uncle's." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the station." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in his hands." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'What do you call purely nominal?' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the nursery. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly case before our client came into the room." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the driver. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I am sure." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that he will be back before evening." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Who by?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography photograph?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." thought that she would have been so carried away." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take