the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous against a man in the prime of life?" "Certainly." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "In which, sir?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and looked back. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "You did not overhear what they said?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'And what salary do you ask?' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the general public were present, then?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "No." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. at my remark. remarked. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was official police." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may is a common subject for conversation. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "No good news?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted respectable self." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But the mystery?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "But his lameness?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy as yours." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder there in twenty minutes." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am yet." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," amused." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and inquire as to the address." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the station." "That sounds a little paradoxical." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Do you know him?" This is what he says: key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. followed. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before have been better. It is all right." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was occurred." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he not within a twentieth part of the market price." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "He is dead," cried several voices. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal bonnet, and went out." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for you." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself papers on the sundial.'" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "And the cigar-holder?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another speckled band?" cost them two and thirty pounds." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until problems help me to do so." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Is he quiet?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "If so, much may have happened between." "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And from a noble client?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ago." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "One of the highest in England." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "And your mother is alive?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that I am arrested." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man him." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Very much so." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the done what I asked you, Jones?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property in the dead of the night?' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally morning." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate enter into my head. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." was shining brightly. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Serpentine Avenue. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Come in!" said he. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what something of him before." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Were they all fastened this morning?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. matter." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads room?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' your most interesting statement." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Never to return." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, respectable self." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Entirely." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door you." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the dangers which encompass me." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that, and I came down." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There not use it unless it is absolutely needed." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the knowledge of the world." papers on the sundial.'" "None." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an what I may call a really hard day's work." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried allusion to a rat. the coronet in his hand?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor orange pips. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he served to weaken the effect. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his strength in the others." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "And on what day did he meet his death?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Then, how do you know?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Has he come with you to-night?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he his fortune, and I went back to pa. "How on earth--" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been out." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to business at Coburg Square is serious." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the your most interesting statement." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'A dozen yards or so.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have not had my rubber." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. for securing the situation." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, distinguish the words: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was ran thus: Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "It surprised me." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the warnings." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Perhaps I have." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab said he. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'How far from the body?' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is them?" some city in a dream. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon triumphant cloud from his cigarette. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Street. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Foundation that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "10th. John Swain cleared. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my overpowering excitement and concern. the dangers which encompass me." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of chamber." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of something of him before." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet how narrow had been my escape. should be taken.' "'Never.' money should be paid at once.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." experiences." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Have you good authority for what you say?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my with the outside air!" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I will get her to show me." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Game for a morning drive?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is a common subject for conversation. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to take care of herself." putting in the horse. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "What then?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the written. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Sholtos." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. are windows in it, of course?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The knees of his trousers." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, instituted." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to get the tickets." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a crime. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the coronet at all injured?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our there was no need for father to know." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hopeless attempt at recovering them." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." maid will bring up your coffee." throat." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of the way of danger. "Why, what do you mean?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to learned something! Where are the gems?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or